Our study found limited induction of cytokine responses at the site of infection in the lungs and in lymphoid tissues, and while attenuated IFN responses have been previously reported in human bronchial epithelial cells infected with H7N9 (14), and in ferrets severely infected with seasonal influenza strains (41), the overall lack of cytokine induction was an unexpected finding. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is infection.