[Ecology and evolution of influenza viruses in Russia (1979-2002)].

The research results on ecology and evolution of influenza A viruses, which has been conducted by the Center of Ecology and Evolution of influenza Viruses of Ivanovsky's Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, for more than 30 years, are summarized in the paper. A gene pool of influenza A viruses circulating in Russia's territory was defined. Foci of influenza A viruses were detected in natural biocenosis. Issues conditioned by the population interrelations of influenza viruses, i.e. between the populations of wild and home animals and the populations of people, are also under discussion.