Dr. Slenning interviewed on infectious disease preparedness

Excerpt from an interview with WRAL.

Raleigh, N.C. — The animals at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine go about their day while researchers keep watch for what could be coming.

"We know it will happen again. It could be happening right now," said Dr. Barrett Slenning, a veterinarian and associate professor.

Dr. Slenning is referring to the next wave of influenza.

"We share much of the same metabolism. We share much of the same food and water. We share the same environment, so it’s not surprising that we share the same kinds of disease agents," he said.

About 75 percent of all new infectious diseases in humans, such as the H1N1 flu pandemic last year, originate in animals. Initially called swine flu, H1N1 was linked to pigs.

View the entire WRAL interview/ report.

Posted July 29, 2010