Which of the following statements best reflects what we know about how the flu virus moves between species?
A) The flu virus in a pig is mutated and replicated in alternate arrangements so that humans who eat the pig products can be infected.
B) A flu virus from a human epidemic or pandemic infects birds; the birds replicate the virus differently and then pass it back to humans.
C) An influenza virus gains new sequences of DNA from another virus, such as a herpesvirus; this enables it to be transmitted to a human host.
D) An animal such as a pig is infected with more than one virus, genetic recombination occurs, the new virus mutates, the virus is passed to a new species such as a bird, and the virus mutates again and can now be transmitted to humans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Genetic recombination is a common way for flu viruses to move from one species to another. Pigs are particularly good hosts for the flu virus because they can be simultaneously infected with multiple strains of flu. When this happens, the different strains of virus can exchange genetic material and form a new virus that can infect a new species, such as a bird or a human. This process is called reassortment and can lead to the emergence of new flu strains that can cause pandemics.

Which of the Following Statements Best Reflects What We Know