Understanding antigenic
drift
of
equine
flu
When
the
virus's
surface
antigens
drift,
the
antibodies
that
formed
to
fight
the
original
strain
may
not
offer
as
much
protection.
Each
flu
season,
it's
important
to
consider
updated
vaccines
that
offer
direct
protection
against
new
viral
mutations.
Antibodies
form
and
bind
to
the
virus
to
neutralize
it.
ANTIGENIC
DRIFT
DEFINED:
Involves
the
accumulation
over
time
of
amino
acid
changes
in
surface
glycoproteins,
HA
(haemagglutinin)
and
NA
(neuraminidase)
on
the
influenza
virus.
New
Viral
Strain
