Ferreting Out Influenza Virus Pathogenicity and Transmissibility: Past and Future Risk Assessments in the Ferret Model

As influenza A viruses continue to jump species barriers, data generated in the ferret model to assess influenza virus pathogenicity, transmissibility, and tropism of these novel strains continues to inform an increasing scope of public health-based applications. This review presents the suitability of ferrets as a small mammalian model for influenza viruses and describes the breadth of pathogenicity and transmissibility profiles possible in this species following inoculation with a diverse range of viruses. Adaptation of aerobiology-based techniques and analyses have furthered our understanding of data obtained from this model and provide insight into the capacity of novel and emerging influenza viruses to cause human infection and disease.