Scientists in China have identified a new strain of flu that has the potential to become a pandemic.

It emerged recently and is carried by pigs, but can infect humans, they say.

Researchers are concerned that it could mutate further so that it could spread easily from person to person.

While it is not an immediate problem, they say, it has "all the hallmarks" of being highly adapted to infect humans and needs close monitoring.

As it’s new, people could have little or no immunity to the virus.

BBC