The discussion centers on the origins and genetic makeup of the swine flu virus, particularly its relationship with other strains of influenza. The 2009 H1N1 outbreak, known as swine flu, is attributed to a new strain of the influenza A virus, which has genes related to swine influenza, although its specific origin remains unclear. The World Organization for Animal Health indicates that this strain has not been isolated in pigs and can be transmitted between humans, causing typical flu symptoms. It is clarified that influenza viruses are RNA viruses, not DNA, and while different strains may share certain genetic segments, they do not possess the same DNA. The conversation also touches on the evolutionary processes of viruses, including mutation and RNA mixing, suggesting that the characteristics of the flu virus have evolved over time, potentially resembling earlier strains from the past.
