Influenza discussion

Would influenza be the next pandemic or another virus?

 A pandemic is an infection that is prevalent over a whole country or world, therefore in this case influenza would be the next pandemic as supported by the joint effects of the disease that affects different countries worldwide as per the information provided in the extract. Influenza is a global epidemic caused by an influenza virus in which there is no pre-existing immunity in the human population. This paper highlights other forms of transmission that could cause a pandemic, and if the influenza virus could be used as a biological weapon (Lipsitch et al 2016)

Other types of transmission that could cause a pandemic

  Apart from antigenic shift and drift, they are other forms of transmission that aid the transfer of pandemic infections. Direct transmission of an avian virus from birds to humans facilitates the transfer of pandemic. Secondly, genetic assortment between an avian and human virus facilitates the communication of pandemic and, lastly, the reintroduction of an old strain into the population.

Could influenza be used as a biological weapon?

 The influenza virus is considered a potential bioterrorism weapon that is contemplated to have several advantages over other forms of viruses used previously. It is deemed to be readily accessible over other forms of viruses.

 In conclusion, it is agreeable that influenza would be the next pandemic that would affect several countries worldwide. The paper discusses other types of transmission that can cause pandemic infection.  Besides, the virus would be used as a biological weapon to fight terrorism since it is a deadly virus without remedy; thus, the fight against terrorism would be most effective.

ReferenceLipsitch, M., Barclay, W., Raman, R., Russell, C. J., Belser, J. A., Cobey, S., … & Beauchemin, C. A. (2016). Science forum: Viral factors in influenza pandemic risk assessment. Elife, 5, e18491.