Transmission of Epidemic Influenza Virus in Mice by Contact

Abstract

Normal mice placed in jars with mice infected with epidemic influenza virus will under certain conditions contract an infection which is evident as moderate to extensive consolidation of the lungs but which is seldom fatal. The PR8 and W.S. strains of human influenza virus are more readily transmitted by contact than are the Melbourne and swine strains. The degree of infection of the contact mice is related to the concentration of virus given to the inoculated mice and to the time of contact. External application of virus does not cause demonstrable infection of mice, but ingestion of virus may produce lung lesions in a certain percentage of a group of mice.