We Skipped Flu Season. That's Bad

The video discusses the potential 'twindemic' of influenza and COVID-19, which was mitigated by social interventions that reduced flu transmission. It highlights the challenges faced in flu vaccine development due to fewer flu cases in 2020-2021. The video explains global influenza preparedness, the rapid mutation of the virus, and the role of animals as mixing vessels. It also addresses the challenges in flu surveillance due to data gaps and the implications for future flu seasons, emphasizing the importance of herd immunity and vaccination.

What was one major reason the expected 'twindemic' of influenza and COVID-19 did not occur?

• Social safety measures reduced influenza transmission

• A new strain of influenza was less contagious

• Increased vaccination rates for both diseases

• COVID-19 vaccines also protected against influenza

How does the segmented genome of influenza contribute to its rapid mutation?

• It allows the virus to resist vaccines

• It makes the virus more stable

• It enables the virus to swap genome segments with other viruses

• It prevents the virus from infecting multiple hosts

Why are pigs considered 'mixing vessels' for the flu?

• They are frequently in contact with humans

• They have a unique immune system

• They can host multiple flu viruses from different species

• They are immune to most flu strains

What is a potential problem for future flu seasons due to the low number of flu cases in 2020-2021?

• A decrease in flu vaccine production

• Increased resistance to flu vaccines

• A gap in influenza surveillance and sequence data

• A rise in COVID-19 cases

What is one potential benefit of the influenza 'no show' in 2020-2021?

• It proved that flu vaccines are unnecessary

• It showed that social safety measures can help prevent the flu

• It led to the discovery of a new flu treatment

• It resulted in a permanent decrease in flu cases