Swine-Influenza Infection in Civilians

The recent outbreak of influenza due to A/New Jersey/8/76 (HswN1) in a number of recruits at Fort Dix, New Jersey,1 has aroused concern that a new influenza pandemic similar to that of 1918 may be imminent. Only persons living before 1923 have a high prevalence of hemagglutination-inhibition antibody to swine-influenza viruses.2 , 3 No large-scale outbreaks of swine-influenza infection in man have been recognized since 1920, although sporadic transmission of the virus from swine to man has been suspected. The HswN1, strain has remained prevalent among swine, with as many as 50 per cent . . .