It was announced recently that scientists for the first time had
re-constructed a living, killing copy of the “Spanish”
1918 Influenza Virus strain that caused the deadliest outbreak
in history. This achievement culminated over 50 years of work
that has been aimed at warding off another worldwide pandemic.
Pandemic or not, Influenza cannot be taken lightly. There were
thousands of deaths in the last flu season. The killing power
of this virus comes from its ability to mutate easily and rapidly.
Of the three known types, A, B and C, the one we fear most is
also most prevalent – Type A. Influenza seasons in which
influenza Type A viruses predominate are associated with a higher
mortality. (The avian flu virus is a type A.) Type B can also
be deadly.
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