Nazni W. A., Apandi M. Y., Eugene M., Azahari A. H., Shahar M. K., Zainah S., Vthylingam I. and Lee H. L.
A study on house flies was carried out to establish whether house flies can transmit the H1N1 virus
mechanically due to their abundance, ability to transport pathogens and their behavioral traits of
regurgitation and defecation. The objectives of this study were to examine the efficiency of house fly
legs in picking up the influenza H1N1 virus particles, persistency of the virus particles on the legs at
different time interval, viability of the virus dislodged from the legs and the presence of the virus in
vomitus and fecal discharge of the house flies. The findings indicated that the persistency of H1N1 virus
on fly legs could be detected up to 24 h in chilled and actively flying flies. Furthermore, the viability of
virus was evidenced from immobilized flies exposed for 30 s. However, H1N1 virus was not detected in
the vomitus and feces. Further, epidemiological studies are needed before the significance of house
flies as transmitter of influenza virus can be determined.
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