Predicting the Next Influenza Pandemics

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 219; no. Supplement_1; pp. S14 - S20
• Main Authors: Neumann, Gabriele, Kawaoka, Yoshihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 08.04.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Epidemiological Monitoring; Epidemiology; Genome, Viral; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus - genetics; Humans; Immune response; Influenza; Influenza A; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - genetics; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - isolation & purification; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - metabolism; Influenza in Birds - transmission; Influenza in Birds - virology; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - transmission; Influenza, Human - virology; Neuraminidase - genetics; Oligosaccharides - metabolism; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Poultry - virology; Risk Assessment; RNA, Viral - genetics; Supplement; SUPPLEMENT ARTICLES; Swine - virology; Viral Proteins - genetics; prediction; transmission; surveillance; pandemic; Influenza
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz040

Worldwide outbreaks of influenza (pandemics) are caused by influenza A viruses to which persons lack protective immune responses. Currently, we are unable to predict which influenza virus strains may cause a pandemic. In this article, we summarize some of the information that will be needed to better assess the pandemic potential of influenza viruses, and we discuss our current gaps in knowledge.