The
Orthomyxoviruses (ορθός,
orthos,
Greek for "straight"; μυξα,
myxa, Greek for "
mucus") are a family of
RNA viruses that includes six
genera:
Influenza virus A,
Influenza virus B,
Influenza virus C,
Isavirus,
Thogotovirus and
Quaranjavirus. The first three genera contain viruses that cause
influenza in vertebrates, including
birds (see also
avian influenza), humans, and other
mammals. Isaviruses infect
salmon; the thogotoviruses are
arboviruses, infecting
vertebrates and
invertebrates, such as
ticks and
mosquitoes.