Methods of inhibiting influenza A virus in a sample are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a sample comprising viral RNA (vRNA) having a PSL2 motif with an effective amount of an agent that specifically binds the PSL2 motif to inhibit the influenza A virus. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing influenza A virus infection in a subject. Also provided are methods for screening a candidate agent for the ability to inhibit influenza A virus in a cell, the method comprising: contacting a sample with a candidate agent; and determining whether the candidate agent specifically binds to the PSL2 motif of vRNA. Also provided are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an oligonucleotide sequence complementary to a PB2 vRNA region that find use in the subject methods.