The mapping, says Kawaoka, identifies clusters of viruses featuring novel mutations which, according to the new study, can effectively predict the molecular characteristics of the
next seasonal influenza virus.
Influenza viruses are prevalent worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 200 000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year for respiratory and heart conditions, illnesses associated
with seasonal influenza virus infections.14 Previous epidemiological studies on associations between influenza infection during pregnancy and ASD reported mixed results.
There is no known human risk from H3N2 canine influenza virus; however, the risk of reassortment (or mixing together) between the canine H3N2 virus and
human seasonal influenza viruses is a potential concern.
«The individuals in the farm family who had any illness after this individual returned, it could have been as a result of exposure to him, but again it may have been
a seasonal influenza A virus that had absolutely no relationship to the worker returning from Mexico,» says Clark.
Seasonal influenza viruses are estimated to cause 3 - 5 million cases of severe illness each year.
This virus is different from
the seasonal influenza viruses that circulate among people and is normally found in birds.