Be wary of dangerous new viruses!

New strains of influenza viruses or deadly viruses from bats… are threats to public health that require utmost vigilance.

Prepare to deal with new strains of influenza.

The peak of the flu season is approaching, and the H3N2 virus is likely to be the dominant strain. But experts say we need to be prepared for new, evolving strains of the flu virus.

Professor Leo Yee Sin, Director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, stated: "Influenza viruses can survive or infect many animal species. When these different virus types are present in the environment, they easily exchange genetic material with each other."

"Therefore, there will always be genetic evolution, and at a certain point, the virus will be able to infect humans. In other words, a certain animal species could infect humans, and humans would become susceptible to the disease. At that point, we might face a pandemic."

To prepare for this scenario, 86 medical experts from 17 countries participated in a workshop held last Tuesday (October 23) by Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Global Initiative for Sharing Influenza Data (GISAID).

The goal of the conference is to strengthen the sharing of influenza data between countries so that the evolution of the virus can be predicted better and earlier. This will then allow for the development of appropriate vaccines to combat any new influenza strains.

Bats carry the deadly lyssa virus.

Step-up measures to combat deadly bat virus in Australia.

Authorities in New South Wales, Australia, are expected to step up measures to combat bats after three flying foxes were found carrying the deadly lyssa virus.

The state is concerned about the potential transmission of the deadly Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) to humans, and the state's Department of Health has warned people to avoid contact with bats.

"So far this year we've had three people bitten or scratched by bats and subsequently confirmed to be infected with the potentially deadly lyssavirus," the state health department announced. "Lyssavirus infection can cause a very severe rabies-like illness and, if left untreated, can be fatal."

Three people in Australia have died from a virus transmitted by bats for which there is currently no cure. The latest victim was 8-year-old Lincoln Flynn, who died in early 2013 after being scratched by a bat in Queensland the previous November. October and November are bat breeding season, meaning many people may find or try to rescue baby bats that have fallen to the ground.

Thousands of large bats often fill the skies, especially at dusk, in many Australian cities, including Sydney, as well as in rural areas.

According to Dan Tri