Study Reveals How COVID-19 Changed Australia’s Seasonal Virus Genetic LandscapeAustralian researchers are warning the country could face unexpected surges in previously minor seasonal viruses after a new study revealed that COVID-19 safety measures such as lockdowns have caused Australia’s seasonal virus landscape to change, with strains of some viruses dying out and new ones emerging. Researchers from the University of Sydney completing the first studies into the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Australia’s other seasonal viruses have revealed that a common winter virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), has changed significantly. The absence also led to certain strains of RSV becoming extinct and new strains of the winter virus emerging. In Australia, the RSV outbreaks spread from the NSW and ACT to neighbouring state Victoria, which experienced substantial outbreaks and hospitalisations. (VGstockstudio/Shutterstock)The researchers also found that the genetic diversity of RSV strains had become extremely low.

Source: Stuff June 17, 2022 02:10 UTC