It has been reported that a new strain of flu with the potential to create a huge pandemic has been identified in China. Currently carried by pigs, this virus can spread to humans, scientists have been quoted by BBC as saying.

The news is that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House's coronavirus advisor, has said that American health officials are "keeping an eye" on the new virus. The virus has got "characteristics of the 2009 H1N1 virus and 1918 pandemic flu".

However, some epidemiologists have rubbished the reports about the new virus having the potential to cause a global pandemic once humans start contracting it in large numbers. "It’s just a virus in pigs for now. Only 2 cases have been reported so far. And it’s an older 2016 origin virus. No human to human yet. 10% of swing farmers have antibodies. No real flashing red light evidence yet," an expert commented on his Twitter handle.