Zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission of viruses between humans and pigs

Glud HA, George S, Skovgaard K, Larsen LE. Zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission of viruses between humans and pigs. Humans and pigs share a close contact relationship, similar biological traits, and one of the highest estimated number of viruses compared to other mammalian species. The contribution and directionality of viral exchange between humans and pigs remain unclear for some of these viruses, but their transmission routes are important to characterize in order to prevent outbreaks of disease in both host species. This review collects and assesses the evidence to determine the likely transmission route of 27 viruses between humans and pigs. Helena Aagaard Glud, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Soltofts Plads, Building 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. E-mail: haaglu@dtu.dk. Sophie George, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 88, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark. E-mail: sophie.george@sund.ku.dk.