The resurgence of influenza A/H3N2 virus in Australia after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions during the 2022 season.

Wang, X; Walker, G; Kim, KW; Stelzer-Braid, S; Scotch, M; Rawlinson, WD

The resurgence of influenza A/H3N2 virus in Australia after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions during the 2022 season.

Wang, X Walker, G Kim, KW Stelzer-Braid, S

Scotch, M Rawlinson, WD

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: J Med Virol, 2024, 96, (9), pp. e29922
Issue Date:: 2024-09

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wang, X
dc.contributor.author	Walker, G
dc.contributor.author	Kim, KW
dc.contributor.author	Stelzer-Braid, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6037-9305
dc.contributor.author	Scotch, M
dc.contributor.author	Rawlinson, WD
dc.date.accessioned	2025-01-29T01:50:31Z
dc.date.available	2024-09-06
dc.date.available	2025-01-29T01:50:31Z
dc.date.issued	2024-09
dc.identifier.citation	J Med Virol, 2024, 96, (9), pp. e29922
dc.identifier.issn	0146-6615
dc.identifier.issn	1096-9071
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184566
dc.description.abstract	This study retrospectively analyzed the genetic characteristics of influenza A H3N2 (A/H3N2) viruses circulating in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian state with the highest number of influenza cases in 2022, and explored the phylodynamics of A/H3N2 transmission within Australia during this period. Sequencing was performed on 217 archived specimens, and A/H3N2 evolution and spread within Australia were analyzed using phylogenetic and phylodynamic methods. Hemagglutinin genes of all analyzed NSW viruses belonged to subclade 3C.2a1b.2a.2 and clustered together with the 2022 vaccine strain. Complete genome analysis of NSW viruses revealed highly frequent interclade reassortments between subclades 3C.2a1b.2a.2 and 3C.2a1b.1a. The estimated earliest introduction time of the dominant subgroup 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.1 in Australia was February 22, 2022 (95% highest posterior density: December 19, 2021-March 13, 2022), following the easing of Australian travel restrictions, suggesting a possible international source. Phylogeographic analysis revealed that Victoria drove the transmission of A/H3N2 viruses across the country during this season, while NSW did not have a dominant role in viral dissemination to other regions. This study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and genomic characterization of influenza viruses in the postpandemic era, which can inform public health decision-making and enable early detection of novel strains with pandemic potential.
dc.format	Print
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	J Med Virol
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/jmv.29922
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0605 Microbiology, 1108 Medical Microbiology
dc.subject.classification	Virology
dc.subject.classification	3107 Microbiology
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	3207 Medical microbiology
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza, Human
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeny
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeography
dc.subject.mesh	Seasons
dc.subject.mesh	Genome, Viral
dc.subject.mesh	Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
dc.subject.mesh	Reassortant Viruses
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Reassortant Viruses
dc.subject.mesh	Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Seasons
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeny
dc.subject.mesh	Genome, Viral
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza, Human
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeography
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype
dc.subject.mesh	Influenza, Human
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeny
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Phylogeography
dc.subject.mesh	Seasons
dc.subject.mesh	Genome, Viral
dc.subject.mesh	Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
dc.subject.mesh	Reassortant Viruses
dc.title	The resurgence of influenza A/H3N2 virus in Australia after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions during the 2022 season.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	96
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	0605 Microbiology
utslib.for	1108 Medical Microbiology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-01-29T01:50:30Z
pubs.issue	9
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	96
utslib.citation.issue	9

Abstract:

This study retrospectively analyzed the genetic characteristics of influenza A H3N2 (A/H3N2) viruses circulating in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian state with the highest number of influenza cases in 2022, and explored the phylodynamics of A/H3N2 transmission within Australia during this period. Sequencing was performed on 217 archived specimens, and A/H3N2 evolution and spread within Australia were analyzed using phylogenetic and phylodynamic methods. Hemagglutinin genes of all analyzed NSW viruses belonged to subclade 3C.2a1b.2a.2 and clustered together with the 2022 vaccine strain. Complete genome analysis of NSW viruses revealed highly frequent interclade reassortments between subclades 3C.2a1b.2a.2 and 3C.2a1b.1a. The estimated earliest introduction time of the dominant subgroup 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.1 in Australia was February 22, 2022 (95% highest posterior density: December 19, 2021-March 13, 2022), following the easing of Australian travel restrictions, suggesting a possible international source. Phylogeographic analysis revealed that Victoria drove the transmission of A/H3N2 viruses across the country during this season, while NSW did not have a dominant role in viral dissemination to other regions. This study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and genomic characterization of influenza viruses in the postpandemic era, which can inform public health decision-making and enable early detection of novel strains with pandemic potential.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184566