Reassortment of the genes of the influenza virus is facilitated by the fact that the genome is segmented.

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The influenza virus genome is made up of 8 segmented RNA strands. This allows for reassortment to occur when two different strains of the virus infect the same host, leading to the mixing and matching of genetic material between the two strains. This is one mechanism by which new, more virulent strains of the flu can arise.

Reassortment of the Genes of the Influenza Virus Is Facilitated