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Swine Flu Came From Lab: Researcher

WHO investigates claim that H1N1 arose from human error

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The World Health Organization is investigating a claim by an Australian researcher that the swine flu virus may have been created in a laboratory as a result of human error. Adrian Gibbs, who helped develop Tamiflu, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the new strain may have evolved in eggs that drug makers use to make vaccines. "One of the simplest explanations is that it’s a laboratory escape," he said.

Gibbs came to suspect human error behind swine flu after analyzing the genetic blueprint of the H1N1 strain. The rate of genetic mutation in the new virus was about three times faster than similar viruses in pigs, which suggests it evolved outside of swine populations, he said. CDC officials in Atlanta said there was no evidence to support Gibbs' claim.

This 2009 image taken through a microscope and provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shows the H1N1 strain of the swine flu virus.
This 2009 image taken through a microscope and provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shows the H1N1 strain of the swine flu virus.   (AP Photo/Center for Disease Control and Prevention, C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish)
Microbiologist Ayesha Khan does research on samples at the San Diego County Public Health lab.
Microbiologist Ayesha Khan does research on samples at the San Diego County Public Health lab.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Nurses get to work at the Chengdu communicable disease hospital in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
Nurses get to work at the Chengdu communicable disease hospital in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan province.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Medical workers wait to be disinfected before entering a quarantine area in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan province, yesterday.
Medical workers wait to be disinfected before entering a quarantine area in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan province, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • public health • World Health Organization • epidemiology • influenza • laboratory • swine flu • WHO • H1N1 virus

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