TED-Ed: How do viruses jump from animals to humans? - Ben Longdon

The video discusses a swine flu outbreak at a fair, highlighting how viruses can jump from animals to humans, potentially causing epidemics. It explains the stages of viral infection, using human influenza as an example, and the challenges viruses face in infecting new species. The video also covers the role of mutations in cross-species infections and the efforts of virologists to predict and prevent potential epidemics.

What concerns did the Maryland department of health have regarding the fairgoers?

Explain the stages a virus must go through to infect a new host.

How do mutations play a role in a virus's ability to infect new species?

What factors can increase the likelihood of a virus successfully jumping to a new host?

Discuss the challenges virologists face in predicting potential epidemics.