解密D型流感病毒

Of the four known types of influenza, A is humanity’s biggest problem. Spreading easily through the air, it causes annual epidemics that kill tens of thousands. It also infects many other animal species, and different strains of A can swap genetic material to create “reassortants” that are new to our immune systems and trigger pandemics. An influenza A subtype known as H5N1 has been devastating poultry and wild bird populations for the past 30 years and is widely feared to have pandemic potential. Influenza D virus, known in shorthand as IDV or flu D, has several of the worrisome features of influenza A: It occurs around the world, infects multiple species, and is fond of reassorting. …