New Hybrid Virus Discovered as Flu And RSV Fuse Into Single Pathogen
HEALTH
31 October 2022
ByFELICITY NELSON
Hybrid virus made up of influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus
Hybrid virus made up of influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus. (Haney et al., Nature Microbiology, 2022)
Researchers have witnessed two viruses – influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus – fuse together to form a single, hybrid virus.
While competition between viruses has been researched in some detail, this new finding provides researchers with an unusual example of one virus coopting another for its own benefits.
"This kind of hybrid virus has never been described before," virologist and senior author Pablo Murcia told The Guardian.