H2N8
| H2N8 | |
| Virus classification | |
| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Riboviria |
| Phylum: | Negarnaviricota |
| Class: | Insthoviricetes |
| Order: | Articulavirales |
| Family: | Orthomyxoviridae |
| Genus: | Alphainfluenzavirus |
| Species: | Influenza A virus |
| Virus: | Influenza A virus subtype H2N8 |
Influenza A virus subtype H2N8 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus. This subtype is one of several sometimes called bird flu virus. H2N8, also known as Influenza A with Hemagglutinin Type 7 Neuraminidase Type 2, is a negative-sense, single-stranded, segmented RNA virus. It was known as an avian Influenza and could not previously be transmitted between humans, however, this particular strain has been manipulated to give it higher pathogenicity and to make it capable of human to human transmission. The virus is extremely pathogenic, highly contagious and fatal in 8% of its victims.