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This is a function of the genetic material of the virus - it is RNA rather than DNA and the virus has no "proofreading" enzymes to make sure the copies are exact. It is extremely easy for a mutation to slip in, and since there are only so many genes, each of which are coding for proteins in the virus, the capsule of the virus mutates rapidly.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe flu virus is able to mutate easily, as viral mutations go, and that is one of the reasons for needing a new flu vaccine each year, to be sure that you are protected from any new mutations that are expected to be circulating. It is also why no vaccines can be produced quickly enough to prevent the common cold since cold viruses mutate especially easily and quickly and will be different before a new vaccine could be made.
Flu viruses mutate to change the proteins on their capsid (coat) so that antibodies that have been made against them by the immune system of the host (based upon the prior protein coating configuration) will no longer work to block the attachment of the virus to the host's cells. Viruses can then attach easily to the cells and insert their own DNA or RNA into them to take over the cell function. New antibodies will eventually be made by the immune system to block the new virus' protein mutations, but the virus could replicate and infect more cells in the interim.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe influenza virus can mutate so that the immune system cannot recognize the new virus and fight it off. This means that a person of any age can be reinfected time and time again.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoInfluenza is a RNA virus, which is very unstable thus they mutate easily
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Does fungi cause influenza?
Fungi do not cause influenza. Viruses Cause influenza.
What disease does Swine Flu cause?
Influenza. It is caused by this new strain of virus that was isolated in Mexico and is now known to be the underlying organism that caused the 2009 pandemic.
How can mutation cause new species to arise?
If one animal has a mutation and breeds with another animal then a new species may arise. The gene of the mutation may be carried down in the babies.
What are difference between antigen drift and antigenic shift?
Both are mutation occurs in virus (usually influenza). But the difference is: antigenic drift are mutation occurs in viral DNA/RNA that cause a person to be re-infected by the virus. while antigenic shift are mutation occurs in viral characteristic, which cause transition from being able to infect poultry ONLY (not human), --> able to infect BOTH poultry and human.
What are the phases in a pandemic that the WHO has developed to prepare and plan for pandemic management?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a system for alerts and communication of the severity or spread of an influenza epidemic, for purposes of preparedness for an influenza pandemic (see below for definition of pandemic), for the US National Preparedness Plan. They have defined six phases of outbreaks that have potential to become an influenza pandemic.2011 ~ We are currently in the Post Pandemic Phase.A synopsis of each phase's definition is provided below, for the full information from the WHO, see the related links section near the bottom of this answer page.Phase 1In nature, flu viruses circulate continuously among animals. Even though such viruses might develop into pandemic viruses, no viruses circulating among animals at the present time have been reported to cause infections in humans.Phase 2An animal influenza virus that is currently circulating among domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans, and is therefore considered a potential pandemic threat.Phase 3There are small clusters of animal-human virus infecting people at present, these are being monitored, but it has currently not resulted in human-to-human transmission frequency sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks, which would be required to initiate pandemic proportions.Phase 4There is human-to-human transmission of animal or human-animal virus able to create sustained community level outbreaks which significantly raises the level of risk of a pandemic, but does not indicate that a pandemic is a fore-gone conclusion.Phase 5Large areas of human-to-human transmission are occurring, and the spread has extended to at least two countries in the same region, which is a strong signal that pandemic is imminent, and containment procedures and preparedness should be being finalized.Phase 6The Pandemic Phase. The community level outbreaks of the virus are continually spreading among people and to at least one other country in a second region globally, and WHO declares a global pandemic is under way.The Pandemic will progress through the post peak period of the pandemic phase and then to the post pandemic phase.The Post Pandemic PhaseWhen the peak period of infection has passed and only a few outbreaks here and there remain, the WHO will declare the pandemic is over and the Post Pandemic Phase is begun. There will be continued observation and monitoring during of waves of the pandemic recurring before finally returning to the normal seasonal levels.World Health Organization has announced that the world is now in the Post Pandemic Phase of the H1N1/09 pandemic.World Health Organization Definition of Pandemic:"An influenza pandemic occurs with the appearance of a new influenza virus against which none of us has any immunity. This results in several, simultaneous epidemics worldwide with high numbers of cases and deaths. With the increase in global transport and communications, as well as urbanization and overcrowded conditions, epidemics due to the new influenza virus are likely to be established quickly around the world."
Was the flu pandemic of 1918 the worst pandemic ever?
Update, Current situation :It was. "Pandemic" means spread around the entire world ("pan" means ALL). Swine flu was a true pandemic and reached every country in the world before it was over.The World Health Organization's Director-General, Margaret Chan, announced on August 10, 2010 that the Pandemic Phase was over and we entered the Post Pandemic Phase.A pandemic is a disease that spreads over a wide geographic area, affecting a large proportion of the population.Swine Flu has reached geographic regions globally due to the ease and frequency of Global traveling. It met the criteria of a pandemic due to the spread to all continents of the world. The Pandemic Phase does not indicate an increase in severity of the disease, it indicates the total global spread, which does cause an increase in total numbers of cases and transmissions world wide.---------------------World Health Organization raises Pandemic Level to Phase 6 - Pandemic Phase.From WHO news conference 11 June 2009:"On the basis of available evidence and these expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. I have therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 5 to Phase 6. The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic."The transcripts of the Press Conference can be read or videos watched at the WHO site link below in related links section.It is important to note that this does not indicate an increase in the severity, just that the criteria for Phase 6 regarding the spread of the Novel H1N1 Influenza have been met. This puts in to place additional steps by WHO and Nations' plans for control and prevention in such a widespread situation of pandemic.
How could cholera cause a pandemic?
Cholera can not cause pandemic today, unless there is some natural calamity. There were cholera pandemic in past, due to lack of knowledge about cholera and lack of hygiene.
What is the cause of vomiting and shivering?
Shivering and vomiting can be cause by a viral illness or bacterial such as food poisoning or influenza. Another cause could be a psychological conditions such as extreme anxiety.
What viruses has the ability to cause a pandemic?
Hantavirus
Change in genetic material of an organism from one genrartion to another?
When mutations happen, they cause the alteration of genetic material.
What are the two strains of the virus that cause Swine Flu?
There is currently only one strain of influenza virus that causes pandemic Swine Flu. It is called A-H1N1/09. There have been previous strains of H1N1 that were similar, and some were even called Swine Flu, but they were different than that which causes the Swine Flu of the 2009 pandemic. See related questions below.
Where did h1n1start?
The 2009 pandemic of Influenza A, Novel H1N1 "swine flu" was first detected in Mexico City and was made public March 18, 2009.See the related question listed below for more details about other strains of H1N1 and when they were first identified.
