Question

international health experts have determined that the avian flu is the virus most likely to cause the next pandemic. which factor will most likely improve its transmissibility to the public? a) increase in consumption of chicken b) increase in autoimmune disease incidence c) shift to zoonotic transmission d) antigenic shift

Explanation:

An antigenic shift in a virus like avian flu can lead to a major change in its surface antigens. This can allow the virus to evade the immune - system of the population that was previously immune to the old form of the virus, thus increasing its transmissibility to the public. An increase in chicken consumption (A) doesn't directly increase transmissibility to humans. An increase in autoimmune disease incidence (B) has no direct relation to avian flu transmissibility. Zoonotic transmission (C) is already a characteristic of avian flu and doesn't specifically improve its transmissibility in the way an antigenic shift does.

Answer:

D. Antigenic shift