The influenza virus frequently causes seasonal epidemics due to minor, gradual mutations in its surface proteins. What is this specific mechanism called?
Q1. The influenza virus frequently causes seasonal epidemics due to minor, gradual mutations in its surface proteins. What is this specific mechanism called?
Answer: Antigenic drift
Explanation: Antigenic drift refers to minor seasonal mutations. Antigenic shift involves major changes, often through reassortment, leading to pandemics rather than typical seasonal epidemics.