科学家在猪身上发现病毒传播新途径

　　SWITZERLAND - Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus causes serious inflammation of the brain in people and fertility problems in pigs. Mosquitoes were previously the only known transmission route. However, the virus can also be spread from pig to pig by direct contact, and this could enable it to circulate in pigs during the mosquitofree winter season. The JE virus is the main cause of serious encephalitis in people in Asia. The virus is found in large parts of Southeast Asia and is now also widespread in India. It circulates between birds and mosquitoes and between pigs and mosquitoes, and is passed to humans through mosquito bites. In children in particular, infection can lead to acute encephalitis and permanent impairment or even death.

　　流行性乙型脑炎病毒(JE)使人产生严重的脑部炎症，让猪产生不育症状。以前只有蚊子叮咬是已知的传播途径。然而，病毒也可以通过猪与猪直接接触，这使得乙型脑炎可以在没有蚊子的冬季传播。在亚洲乙型脑炎病毒是引起脑炎的主要原因。病毒最初在东南亚大部分地区被发现，现在印度也广泛传播。病毒通过鸟与蚊子、猪与蚊子之间传播，也能通过蚊子叮咬传染给人类。尤其是儿童，感染可以导致急性脑炎和永久性损伤、甚至死亡。