Researchers develop a family tree for better prediction of influenza mutations
Monday, March 14, 2016 - 08:30
in Health & Medicine
(Phys.org)—Once exposed to the influenza virus, humans mount an immune response that can be recalled by the adaptive immune system when they are exposed a second time. However, the virus mutates rapidly, and individuals can suffer from recurrent infections as a result. One of the problems health officials confront when trying to control influenza outbreaks is predicting the genetic mutations of existing strains from year to year.