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Reassortment of Influenza Virus

The current hypothesis is that new influenza viruses emerge by genetic reassortment, i.e. exchange of genetic material between two influenza viruses. For example, an avian virus H5N1 happens to infect a domestic pig, and concurrently the pig acquires H3N2 infection from a farm worker. Consequently, a new serotype H5N2 may emerge as a result of genetic reassortment. The H5N2 variant then spreads to humans. Since the human population does not possess antibodies to this new virus, widespread epidemics may occur.