Singapore: A latest research conducted by the scientists at the University of Florida revealed the presence of equine influenza virus in camels. The study elaborated that the influenza A virus easily transmitted from horses to camels.

This study is considered as a breakthrough research in inter-mammalian transmission of the virus and can pose a potential pandemic threat to humans.

Mr Gregory C Gray, center director for environmental and global health said that over the past ten years, there had been considerable cases of cross species jump for the influenza virus. He further added that this newly identified virus could pose a possible threat of transmission to humans in future.

The study identified the movement of influenza viruses from horses to camels. Mr Gray elaborated that SARS, MERS, Ebola viruses are standing examples of devastation caused by zoonotic diseases and cross species transmissions.

Mr Gray advocated that advanced studies for such zoonotic transmission must be conducted and in-depth analysis must be made to assess the risk in humans. He stated that this research would broader the study aspects for novel corona viruses.