1918 Flu Virus Reconstructed
A victim of the 1918 flu epidemic that was buried in the Alaskan permafrost, has aided researchers in genetically reconstructing the virus. The virus samples that were created are stored at the CDC, but the genetic information has been made publicly available on GenBank. Why recreate the virus that claimed 50 million lives?
To study it. The 1918 flu bears remarkable resemblance to the avian flu that today holds the potential to become a epidemic. The 1918 flu occurred naturally in bird species, but became lethal when it showed up in humans. In humans, it began spreading from person to person until 50 million people died. Today's avian flu virus hasn't spreading rapidly as yet, and only 65 people have died -- but, with today's movement of people all over the world, it wouldn't take long for a lethal strain to spread and decimate the human population on the planet. Researchers wish to study to 1918 virus to learn more of what could potentially come, and develop defences against it.
To study it. The 1918 flu bears remarkable resemblance to the avian flu that today holds the potential to become a epidemic. The 1918 flu occurred naturally in bird species, but became lethal when it showed up in humans. In humans, it began spreading from person to person until 50 million people died. Today's avian flu virus hasn't spreading rapidly as yet, and only 65 people have died -- but, with today's movement of people all over the world, it wouldn't take long for a lethal strain to spread and decimate the human population on the planet. Researchers wish to study to 1918 virus to learn more of what could potentially come, and develop defences against it.
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