Principles of rational classification and nomenclature of human influenza A viruses

To eliminate possible mistakes in the new nomenclature of influenza A viruses, approved by the WHO influenza experts Committee on February 1980, it is suggested to introduce the following changes: reestablish the independent position of subtypes of human influenza A viruses with hemagglutinins HSw1, HO and H1 and neuraminidase N1; use as a principle method for differentiation of various subtypes the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test instead of the double immunodiffusion test (DIDT); to strengthen the leading role of the host in the classification of influenza A viruses by presenting human influenza viruses separately from the animal and avian viruses; it is advisable to change the present classification of influenza viruses by dividing the family of orthomyxoviridae into two species - Influenza A virus and Influenza B virus and promoting the existing influenza A virus subtypes into the rank of a serotype and the main antigenic variants within each type - into subtypes.