There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Type A influenza viruses are very widespread across many hosts and can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, dogs, cats and many other animals. However, the natural reservoirs for type A influenza viruses are wild aquatic birds. Type B influenza viruses only infect people, but are less common than type A influenza viruses. Type C influenza viruses are less common than types A and B and cause only mild illness in humans.
