Reservoir, Vector & Host for the Virus
Pigs are the most important reservoir for influenza A viruses, acting as an intermediary host for both interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment. This is due to the high susceptibility of pigs to human and avian influenza viruses, the mixing of which can produce viruses with increased pandemic potential in different hosts,[5] and coinfection with both avian and human influenza viruses has been observed in pigs. Waterfowl and wild boars are also important reservoirs for influenza viruses. Variation in the affinities of different influenza virus strains for binding to various host receptors may lead to their transmission to new mammalian hosts; for example, influenza emergence has recently been found in bats in Central America.
Future Virology. 2012;7(10):947-950. © 2012 Future Medicine Ltd.
