In 2009, a flu pandemic was believed to have originated when viral transmission occurred from pig to human, thereby earning the designation "swine flu." Although pigs are thought to have been the breeding ground for the 2009 virus, sequences from bird, pig, and human viruses were all found within this newly identified virus. What is the most likely explanation of why this virus contained sequences from bird, pig, and human viruses?
A) The virus was descended from a common ancestor of bird, pig, and human flu viruses.
B) The infected individuals happened to be infected with all three virus types.
C) Related viruses can undergo genetic recombination if the RNA genomes mix and match during viral assembly.
D) The human was likely infected with various bacterial strains that contained all three RNA viruses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation is genetic recombination, in which the RNA genomes of related viruses mix and match during viral assembly. This can result in the incorporation of genetic material from different viruses into a new, hybrid virus.

In 2009, a Flu Pandemic Was Believed to Have Originated