In response to viral pathogens, mammalian cells have developed an arsenal of innate immunity factors to prevent viral infections, with a central role assigned to the interferon (IFN) system.1 Virus-derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns are detected by, e.g., cytoplasmic viral nucleic acid sensors such as RIG-I and MDA5 (ref. 2) or membrane-associated Toll-like receptors,3 with subsequent activation of downstream NF-κB signaling4 or IRF-3/IRF-7 binding to the IFN promoter site,5 resulting in transcription and secretion of type I IFNs. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and viral infectious disease.