Rising Pandemic Concerns as New 'IDV' Flu Variant Sparks Chaos Across China

A newly identified ‘IDV’ flu variant discovered in China has raised concerns about a potential pandemic, as experts worry it may have gained the capability to transfer between animals and humans.

Scientists have reported “alarming exposure rates” for this strain, suggesting it could be spreading “silently” to other countries.

Researchers indicate that a newly discovered flu variant in cattle may be spreading ‘silently’Credit: Getty The virus may also be developing the ability to transmit to humansCredit: Getty

Researchers led by Hongbo Bao from the Changchun Veterinary Research Institute examined a “newly emerging” strain of flu known as the influenza D virus, or IDV.

Computer-generated illustration of virusesCredit: Getty

While IDV primarily affects cattle, researchers found that the virus may have evolved from being an animal-only pathogen to one capable of spreading among humans.

“Our findings suggest that IDV may have developed the ability for human-to-human transmission during its ongoing evolution, and the currently circulating IDV strains pose a potential panzootic threat,” they stated.

The strain was first identified in 2011 “in a pig displaying influenza-like symptoms,” according to the researchers.

It has since been established that cattle are the main carriers of IDV, creating a risk of spillover to those working with cattle.

“In recent years, IDV has often entered a new country or continent without showing symptoms,” the study's authors cautioned, noting its appearance in North and South America, Asia, and Africa, affecting “goats, sheep, horses, camels, and more.”

“This raises concerns about whether IDV has gained enhanced infectivity and transmissibility,” they concluded.

Researchers investigated a strain of IDV known as D/HY11, which emerged in cattle in Northeastern China in 2023, testing its replication ability and infectiousness.

They discovered that the virus could be transmitted through the air as well as direct contact with animals.

The authors also evaluated the risk of human transmission and the effectiveness of common flu treatments against IDV.

Their laboratory analyses indicated that D/HY11 could replicate in human airway cells and animal tissue, raising concerns that the variant could already be circulating among humans.

Analysis of archived blood samples showed that 74 percent of individuals in Northeast China had been exposed to the virus, indicating that the strain has jumped from animals to humans.

This rate increased to 97 percent among individuals with respiratory symptoms; however, it remains unclear whether IDV can spread between people or if these were isolated infections from animals.

The team concluded: “In summary, it is likely that the IDV outbreak has evolved into an ongoing issue for both cattle and humans.

“Unobserved subclinical infections could play a significant role in transmission, quietly maintaining epidemics at the population level.

“The possibility of unnoticed chains of transmission may quietly propagate through cattle, other farm animals, and humans.”

Researchers began by culturing the virus in cells from dogs and humans, which are standard tools for studying flu strains.

They also tested it on cells specifically designed to mimic the airway lining of humans, cows, pigs, and dogs.