人类与病毒战争的将来

The future of the war between human and viruses

Today we are going to use a story of viruses vs rabbits to tell you the future of today’s battle. 

Australia is a special land, far away from other continents, isolated and different. Some common species like cows, sheep were introduced to this land from other areas. Today our story will start from a group of western rabbits, because before that no rabbit had been in Australia. Western rabbits were introduced in to Australia for gambling sport in 1859.

Without natural predator, the population of rabbits grew dramatically and even reached 10 billion. The country used different ways to control the number of rabbits. But all failed.

After other control measures failed, myxoma virus was released in 1950s in and attempt to control rabbits’ population. The virus is spread by mosquito Vectors, and European rabbits are killed rapidly-infection is 90-99% fatal.

In the first year the virus was efficient, with 99.8% death rate.

However, by the second year, the mortality dropped dramatically to 25%. As expected, the infection spread rapidly during spring and summer, when mosquitoes are abundant, but slowly in winter。

Within 3 years, more and more rabbits survived. A balance is struck: some infected rabbits die, but many survive. 

Today, host-virus balanced. Infected rabbits will not die. Rabbits will be weaken. Viruses parasite in rabbits, not killing them directly. Today, Australians need to control rabbit’s population by themselves again.

所有病毒对我们都是坏的么？

Are all viruses bad to us?

所有病毒对我们都是坏的么？固然不是

Are all viruses all bad for us? Of course, No.

噬菌体（细菌的病毒）可以辅佐医生操作病人体内的细菌。

Bacteriophage ( virus to bacteria) will help doctors to control bacteria in patients.

病毒也将会用于杀死癌细胞。

Virus will be used to destroy cancer cells.

在电子显微镜下病毒攻击并传染细菌。

Viruses are infecting bacteria under electron microscope.

Anything has two sides as a sword. More secrets of virus are waiting for us. Learning more and you will understand more. Thank you!
 

Next lesson we will focus on different kinds of protective tools, such as their function, structure and materials inside. We will encourage your involvement to remake, redesign and consider any improvement in these products. Then we will get our own super power to fight against pathogens.