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Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the biological features of influenza that have repeatedly allowed outbreaks to emerge undetected. It first briefly reviews influenza genetics and evolution and then reviews those aspects of human and swine influenza evolution during the past century required to frame the current knowledge of the origin of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. It also provides an overview of symptoms, diagnostics, surveillance, and techniques of molecular evolution and phylogenetics required to study the origin and spread of new strains and finishes by considering how current forensic techniques would suffice in the investigation of a criminal release. The influenza viruses comprise three genera in the family Orthomyxoviridae. The genera are, in practice, referred to as “types” A, B, and C. However, in terms of their potential to cause harm to humans, the influenza viruses can be divided into two categories. An influenza virus need not be unusually deadly to cause harm. The current 2009 H1N1 pandemic serves as an example of the social and economic disruption that can ensue from any outbreak of a novel influenza strain. The H1N1 2009 pandemic tested our capacity for influenza outbreak investigation at a time when a relative wealth of forensic technology was at our disposal. Nonetheless, the origin of the H1N1 2009 virus remains unknown, as are the exact origins of all past influenza pandemic strains. |
