Reassortment of Influenza Virus
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The current hypothesis is that new influenza viruses emerge by genetic
reassortment, i.e. exchange of genetic material between two influenza viruses.
For example, an avian virus H5N1 happens to infect a domestic pig, and
concurrently the pig acquires H3N2 infection from a farm worker. Consequently, a
new serotype H5N2 may emerge as a result of genetic reassortment. The H5N2
variant then spreads to humans. Since the human population does not possess
antibodies to this new virus, widespread epidemics may occur. |
