Genomic Surveillance of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Sydney Reveals Rebound in Postpandemic Viral Diversity
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission between 2020 and 2025 was impacted by COVID-19-related public health measures, resulting in unprecedented genomic bottlenecks, and postpandemic surges in clinical cases. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 100 infant RSV cases in Sydney during the 2024 winter season. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a marked rebound in genomic diversity compared with prior seasons, driven by multiple international lineage introductions. No known therapeutic-resistance mutations were detected. These findings provide a preintervention baseline for monitoring RSV evolution under emerging therapeutic selection pressures in Australia, with the national rollout of the recently approved maternal vaccine (Abrysvo) and monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) through the RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program commencing in 2025.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Respiratory viral infections research
Virology and Viral Diseases
Immune responses and vaccinations
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Open Forum Infectious Diseases
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- ofag192–ofag192
- Publication date
- 30 March 2026
- Language
- EN