Infographic - Influenza Virus Change

Infographic illustrating the mechanisms of genetic variation in influenza viruses: antigenic drift and antigenic shift. Antigenic drift occurs through the gradual accumulation of point mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes, generating minor variations with epidemic potential. Antigenic shift, in contrast, involves an abrupt genetic rearrangement between viruses of human and animal origin (e.g., avian or swine), leading to the emergence of new strains with pandemic potential.