Would it be realistically possible to eliminate the common flu from the Earth, and would there be any kind of adverse consequences?
In: Biology
It is difficult to eliminate diseases that have a wild reservoir.
Influenza A has a natural host in aquatic birds and occasionally jumps over to domesticate poultry, pigs or humans (like h1n1, h2n2, h3n2 and etc.)
Influenza B is mostly in humans the only other animals known to have it are seals and ferrets. It mutates slowly compared to A so most people have immunity to it from childhood. Because it is so slow to mutate, and because there are few species that carry it, it ensures that pandemics from it don’t occur.
Influenza C is in dogs and pigs too. It can cause local epidemics, but it is less common and generally only causes a mild disease in children.
Influenza D has not been seen in humans. It’s only in cattle and pigs.
We might be able to eliminate D and possibly C since the animals are domesticated, but it might be difficult to vaccinate village dogs.
Latest Answers