The coronavirus pandemic might not be a 'pandemic' for much longer So, looking ahead, experts have come together to propose countermeasures for future epidemics and pandemics.  It's all about transparency and equity at a global scale.  References: It is time for ambitious, transformational change to the epidemic countermeasures ecosystem

A team has analysed data out of China, proving the presence of animals in the Wuhan market capable of hosting SARS-CoV-2.

Another wave of COVID infections seems to be underway in parts of Australia, and NSW is leading the pack.  The variant soup is getting more complex by the day — but luckily the dominant mutations don't seem to be causing more severe disease.  Regardless, as more people get infected and re-infected, researchers are fast at work trying to determine what might protect people from long-term consequences.  References:  Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Prior to Infection and Risk of Post-COVID-19 Condition Severe COVID-19 outcomes by cardiovascular risk profile in England in 2020: a population-based cohort study

In 2022, Australia saw an estimated 12% increase in the number of deaths compared to expert predictions.  More than half of those were due to COVID-19. And there are signs that even the deaths that couldn't be directly linked to COVID-19 are a result of the pandemic.  This pattern isn't just playing out in Australia, but around the globe. So what are the driving factors, and what can be done to address them? References:  Almost 20,000 excess deaths for 2022 in Australia One-Year Adverse Outcomes Among US Adults With Post-COVID-19 Condition vs Those Without COVID-19 in a Large Commercial Insurance Database Life expectancy changes since COVID-19

Since ATAGI updated its booster advice there have been lots of questions about why kids aren't able to get another jab.  We discuss the reasoning behind the age limit, as well as some other vaccine-related questions from listeners.  Also, a few controversial COVID topics... from Ivermectin to the US Energy Department's theory on where the virus came from.  References: COVID-19 vaccines for children Effect of Higher-Dose Ivermectin for 6 Days vs Placebo on Time to Sustained Recovery in Outpatients With COVID-19 Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of Covid-19 Pandemic, Energy Department Now Says

Antivirals are an important measure to prevent severe disease in vulnerable people with COVID-19.  But there have been concerns antivirals could lead to rebound infections — the resurgence of viral load following the completion of the medication. So what do the latest studies say? Also, we speak to an expert informing the parliamentary inquiry into long COVID about how to best care for patients.  Guest: Professor Tania Sorrell University of Sydney References:  SARS-CoV-2 rebound with and without antivirals Viral burden rebound in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 receiving oral antivirals in Hong Kong: a population-wide retrospective cohort study Submission—Inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections

An old debate has been reignited after a review declared the effects of masks is uncertain and in need of further investigation.  Meanwhile Sydney scientists have found a receptor that sticks to the coronavirus and pulls it away from lung cells, opening up potential treatment avenues.  But for now, vaccines remain the best protection against severe disease. So when should you get your next booster? We answer some common questions.  References:  Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses Yes, masks reduce the risk of spreading COVID, despite a review saying they don't Fibroblast-expressed LRRC15 is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike and controls antiviral and antifibrotic transcriptional programs

Australian adults will be able to get a fifth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine within a fortnight. People aged 18 and over who've not had a COVID vaccine or a positive case in the last six months will also be eligible for another shot.

The majority of Australians have received at least two doses of a COVID vaccine — and they've most likely caught the virus as well.  New research suggests this hybrid immunity offers good protection against severe disease, although the risk of long COVID persists with even mild bouts of infection.  There could soon be a simple model to predict how likely you are to recover well from COVID, or whether you'll go on to develop post-viral symptoms.  Guest:  Professor Jeremy Nicholson Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, Health Futures Institute References: Protective effectiveness of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and hybrid immunity against the omicron variant and severe disease: a systematic review and meta-regression A patient-centric modeling framework captures recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection

It has been three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency.  The WHO isn't ready to downgrade the status of the pandemic, but the committee has agreed we're at a 'transition' point.  Meanwhile an outbreak of influenza in mink has highlighted the need for greater animal-human disease surveillance.