Which of the following statements best reflects what we know about how influenza virus moves between species?
A) In an animal, such as a pig, the influenza virus is mutated and replicated in alternate arrangements so that humans who eat the pig products can be infected.
B) An influenza virus from a human epidemic or pandemic infects birds; the birds replicate mutant versions of that virus and then pass the new forms back to humans.
C) An influenza virus fuses with a different type of virus (like HSV) and gains new DNA which enable the new virus to be transmitted to a wider variety of host species.
D) An animal, such as a pig, is infected with more than one strain of the influenza virus and the genomes reassort into new combinations that can facilitate spread to other species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Influenza viruses can undergo a process called reassortment, where if an animal (like a pig) is infected with multiple strains of the virus, these strains can exchange genetic material. This process can lead to the creation of new influenza virus variants with the potential to infect humans, reflecting the concept of antigenic shift, which is a significant mechanism for the emergence of novel influenza viruses that can lead to pandemics.

Which of the Following Statements Best Reflects What We Know