Understanding Viral Host Jumps and Epidemics

In 2017, a swine flu outbreak at a Maryland fair highlighted the dangers of cross-species infections, known as viral host jumps. These infections can lead to deadly epidemics when viruses adapt to new hosts. The video explains the stages of virus infection, using human influenza as an example, and discusses the challenges viruses face in infecting new species. It also explores how host jumps can lead to epidemics and the role of virologists in monitoring and preventing outbreaks.

What was the primary concern of the Maryland department of health during the 2017 country fair?

• The health of the fairgoers

• The safety of the fair rides

• The quality of the fair's food

• The health of the prize pigs

What is the first stage a virus must go through to survive and reproduce?

• Evading the immune system

• Replication within the host

• Transmission to other individuals

• Contact with a susceptible host

Why do most viruses fail to infect new species?

• They are too small to be detected

• They cannot survive outside a host

• They lack the necessary proteins

• The genetic dissimilarity is too great

What increases the odds of a virus successfully jumping to a new host?

• A high mutation rate

• A closely related new species

• A large number of hosts

• A strong immune response

What is the role of mutations in viral host jumps?

• They can enable the virus to infect new species

• They always hinder the virus

• They make the virus visible to the host

• They help the virus evade the immune system

What makes a virus more dangerous once it reaches the transmission stage in a new host?

• It can mutate into a more successful virus

• It loses its ability to infect

• It becomes visible to the immune system

• It becomes resistant to treatment

Why might a virus adapted to chimpanzees require fewer changes to infect humans?

• Chimpanzees are immune to most viruses

• Humans and chimpanzees have similar diets

• Humans and chimpanzees are closely related genetically

• Chimpanzees have a weaker immune system

What is a major challenge in predicting the next potential epidemic?

• Slow development of vaccines

• Lack of funding for research

• The diversity of viruses

• Inaccurate data collection

How do researchers aim to stop deadly diseases from spreading?

• By increasing public awareness

• By isolating infected individuals

• By developing vaccines and containment protocols

• By banning international travel

What is a key focus for virologists in preventing future epidemics?

• Improving public transportation

• Reducing the number of viruses

• Studying the biology of pathogens

• Increasing the number of hospitals