Detection of Novel Sequences Related to African Swine Fever Virus in Human Serum and Sewage
J Virol. 2009 Dec; 83(24): 13019–13025.
Published online 2009 Oct 7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00638-09
The family Asfarviridae contains only a single virus species, African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASFV is a viral agent with significant economic impact due to its devastating effects on populations of domesticated pigs during outbreaks but has not been reported to infect humans. We report here the discovery of novel viral sequences in human serum and sewage which are clearly related to the asfarvirus family but highly divergent from ASFV. Detection of these sequences suggests that greater genetic diversity may exist among asfarviruses than previously thought and raises the possibility that human infection by asfarviruses may occur.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2786824/
This study was done 11 years ago. Why has the USDA not tested America's pigs for these novel viral sequences related to African Swine Fever? Have people been consuming pork for years that contain novel viral sequences to African Swine Fever? Should Whole Foods and other grocery chains demand that all the pork they sell be tested for these novel viral sequences to African Swine Fever? Can these novel viral sequences be found in people with mysterious immunological problems?
