Reassortment of Influenza Virus |
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.
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