When flu takes wing
In spite of the fact that it is now about 30 years since the human influenza virus was isolated in the laboratory, long-term prediction of influenza epidemics is not possible. However, recent epidemiological studies with human and animal influenza viruses may ultimately improve our ability to predict the future behaviour of the influenza virus in man. We now know that influenza A viruses containing a ribonucleoprotein antigen identical to that of human influenza A viruses can be isolated from outbreaks of respiratory illness in swine, horses and domestic and wild birds. These findings led Dr P.…
