Influenza: Current Trends in the Pathogen and It’s Prevention

During the past year, influenza has reasserted itself as the pathogen of interest for veterinarians, both large and small. High path avian influenza (HPAI) infected a person in the US for the first time in history. Dairy farmers are now feeling the impact of influenza. It seems influenza is rapidly evolving and expanding its reach from a species perspective and from a geographical standpoint. It is only a matter of time before dog owners are once again concerned about influenza. But, take heart! Just as influenza the pathogen continues to evolve, so, too, does vaccine technology and our understanding of the immune system and the role of each cell within. Join me for a discussion of replicon technology in vaccine development and the persistent evolution of influenza and where these two things collide.