How long does it take for a pandemic virus to die out ?

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Pandemic viruses typically do not completely die out; they can persist as long as there are hosts available. For example, the H3N2 virus from the 1957 Hong Kong flu pandemic still exists today, indicating that viruses can continue to circulate and mutate. The discussion highlights that viruses can survive outside hosts for a period and may adapt to infect other animals, potentially re-emerging in humans later. This underscores the importance of proper disposal of bodies in pandemic situations to prevent further transmission. Overall, the lifecycle of a pandemic virus is closely tied to its ability to find new hosts and adapt over time.
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How long does it take for a pandemic virus to "die out"?

How long does it usually take for a pandemic virus such as the swine flu to "die out"?
 
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Probably about as long as it takes those afflicted with the virus to die out. (No more hosts, no more virus--unless they can survive for a while outside of a host)
 


The Hong Kong virus was pandemic in 1957. This virus H3N2 close variants are still out there infecting human hosts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H3N2
 
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Viruses don't die out at all completely naturally until their molecular structure is broken down . That is why it is recommened to burn the dead bodies of victims of virus pandemics like AIDS ,measles etc.

If not they will mutate themselves to cohabit in other animals mostly and make a reentry to humans eventually as another virus or to other species.
 
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