Poster 6: Avian Influenza in Seals

Question 1

How did virus travel from aquatic birds to seals?

Answer 1

• many requirements need to be met in order for the H10 virus to be transmissible from aquatic birds to seals (bind to receptors, escape host immune system, release viral progeny, etc)
• virus does not have repair mechanisms to fix mutations so it is always changing

Question 2

Mechanism of action

Answer 2

• H10N7 attacks epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages
• HA responsible for fusion to host membrane
• NA helps virus to penetrate through mucous to access respiratory epithelium
• viral damage to respiratory immune system thought to allow secondary invasion of opportunistic bacteria
• severe necrosis caused by viral and bacterial infection
• reduced surface area of lungs = death