Learning from prepandemic data to forecast viral escape

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 622(7984), P. 818 - 825

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

Abstract Effective pandemic preparedness relies on anticipating viral mutations that are able to evade host immune responses facilitate vaccine and therapeutic design. However, current strategies for evolution prediction not available early in a pandemic—experimental approaches require polyclonal antibodies test against 1–16 , existing computational methods draw heavily from strain prevalence make reliable predictions of variants concern 17–19 . To address this, we developed EVEscape, generalizable modular framework combines fitness deep learning model historical sequences with biophysical structural information. EVEscape quantifies the escape potential at scale has advantage being applicable before surveillance sequencing, experimental scans or three-dimensional structures antibody complexes available. We demonstrate trained 2020, is as accurate high-throughput variation SARS-CoV-2 other viruses including influenza, HIV understudied such Lassa Nipah. provide continually revised scores all strains predict probable further forecast emerging tool continuing development ( evescape.org ).

Language: Английский

China’s policies: post-COVID-19 challenges for the older population

Global Health Action, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(1)

Published: May 8, 2024

On 7 December 2022, the State Council of China released 'Measures to Further Optimize Implementation Prevention and Control New Coronavirus Epidemic'. The previous three-year dynamic zero epidemic prevention policy was then replaced with a full liberalization policy. 5 May 2023, World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 no longer constituted 'public health emergency international concern.' However, given ongoing prevalence coronavirus, emerging mutations, restrictions, there are increased risks vulnerable people contracting new variants. Low vaccination coverage among older compromised immune systems, puts them at further risk. shift will increase pressure on already stretched infrastructure medical resources. This short article adds current debate arguing Chinese government should take commensurate preventive measures, including strengthening facilities equipment targeting in people.

Language: Английский

Sudden upsurge of COVID-19 cases in China: A global threat

Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 18 - 20

Published: July 15, 2023

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented global health crisis with a significant impact on people's daily lives. Despite dealing the for over three years, situation still remains uncertain, emergence of new variants posing threat population's health. China's dynamic zero-COVID policy was initiated in August 2021, control rapid spread novel virus, which proved successful. However, policy's draconian approach and severe economic ramifications widespread protests civil unrest, ultimately compelling Chinese government lift imposed restrictions. Omicron variant, shown high transmissibility decrease vaccine efficacy, posed challenge fight against COVID-19. abandonment resulted increase cases China, lack natural hybrid immunity being one primary contributing factors. requires close monitoring, effective measures should be implemented virus mitigate its

Language: Английский