Is the emergence of the 2009 A (H1N1) virus an example of antigenic shift or
antigenic drift? Explain the difference between shift and drift.
Why was the 2009 A (H1N1) influenza epidemic considered a pandemic?
Based on the lessons learned thus far, what can the U.S. do in the future when faced
with a pandemic or national emergency related to infectious diseases?
Prompt 1:
The outbreak of the novel H1N1 flu virus in 2009 caused widespread anxiety throughout the world.
However, the incidence of this flu was lower than anticipated. You may read more about H1N1 and its progress at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/cdcresponse.htm (Links to an external site.).
Briefly describe the time line of this outbreak and the ways in which it was investigated.
Discuss why you think the incidence was low. Include the human and environmental factors that could have contributed. Be sure to support your opinions with scholarly evidence from your readings.
