Topic summary
Orthomyxoviridae
Orthomyxoviridae (from Ancient Greekὀρθός (orthós)'straight' and μύξα (mýxa)'mucus') is a family of negative-senseRNA viruses. It includes nine genera: Alphainfluenzavirus, Betainfluenzavirus, Gammainfluenzavirus, Deltainfluenzavirus, Isavirus, , Quaranjavirus, , and Thogotovirus. The first four genera contain viruses that cause influenza in birds (see also avian influenza) and mammals, including humans. Isaviruses infect salmon; the thogotoviruses are arboviruses, infecting vertebrates and invertebrates (such as ticks and mosquitoes). The Quaranjaviruses are also arboviruses, infecting vertebrates (birds) and invertebrates (arthropods).
The four genera of Influenza virus that infect vertebrates, which are identified by antigenic differences in their nucleoprotein and matrix protein, are as follows:
- Alphainfluenzavirus infects humans, other mammals, and birds, and causes all flu pandemics
- Betainfluenzavirus infects humans and seals
- Gammainfluenzavirus infects humans and pigs
- Deltainfluenzavirus infects pigs and cattle.