Story Summary: There are also signs of increasing and active transmission of pandemic flu virus across Northern and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Belarus and eastern Russia, the WHO said. Although these cases were isolated and did not impact how the A(H1N1) pandemic evolved in humans, recent findings may indicate broader potential for flu viruses to mix and mutate, the WHO said. While most influenza A viruses circulating in mammals preferentially infect a single species, cross-species transmission is known to occur, said the WHO in a briefing note. Currently, nations are only required to notify international authorities of avian influenza cases, although some nations have additional domestic rules that apply to other animals, such as pigs. The agency stressed that lab tests had not detected signs that the virus had mutated to a more virulent form. The recent cases involving animals have included swine flu in pigs. As human infections become increasingly widespread, transmission of the virus from humans to swine is likely to occur with greater frequency, the Geneva-based health agency added. However, testing of workers at the mink farms detected no spread to humans. However, the incident demonstrates the constantly evolving ecology of influenza viruses, the potential for surprising changes, and the need for constant vigilance, also in animals, the WHO said. A new telephone poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found than just one-in-three adults who have attempted to get a swine flu vaccine have been able to do so. The figures held true even among those at heightened risk for severe complications and among parents who had tried to obtain the vaccine for their high-risk children. The vaccine has been available in the U. S. for about a month, but supplies have been limited due to manufacturing delays. The Harvard poll, which surveyed 1,000 adults last weekend, also showed that half of those who tried could not find information about where to obtain the swine flu vaccine. The Harvard poll, which surveyed 1,000 adults last weekend, also showed that half of those who tried could not find information about where to obtain the swine flu vaccine….Read the Full Story

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