Varying Viral Replication and Disease Profiles of H2N2 Influenza in Ferrets Is Associated with Virus Isolate and Inoculation Route

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

In 1957 the world was subjected to a pandemic caused by an influenza A virus of the subtype H2N2. Although the virus disappeared in 1968, H2 viruses continue to circulate in avian reservoirs. It is therefore possible that the H2N2 influenza virus will be reintroduced into the human population, which can lead to another pandemic. The impact of a new H2N2 influenza pandemic can be mitigated by vaccination. However, these vaccines first need to be developed and tested in animal models. In preparation for this, we expanded the ferret model to mimic the different facets of human H2N2 influenza infection and disease. This model can be used for the development and evaluation of new H2N2 influenza vaccines.