Molecular virology: was the 1918 flu avian in origin?
Taubenberger et al. claim that the 1918 influenza virus was derived from an avian source and adapted to humans shortly before the pandemic. However, we do not believe that this conclusion, which has been widely disseminated in the popular press and in scientific journals, is supported by their phylogenetic evidence.
Antonovics
Janis
J
Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA. ja8n@virginia.edu
Hood
Michael E
ME
Baker
Christi Howell
CH
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013552:Swine / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology