Post-pandemic: How do viruses learn to adapt and are we ready for a new winter wave?

Post-pandemic: How do viruses learn to adapt and are we ready for a new winter wave?

More than three years after the pandemic that disrupted the world, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to dominate headlines and CDC reports, but with a different tone. The world has moved from an "acute emergency" phase to one of "sustainable management," where the virus has become part of the epidemiological landscape of society. However, the emergence of new sub-variants, especially those belonging to the Omicron family, and the release of updated vaccines necessitate a deeper and more insightful analysis of the current health situation. From a biological analysis perspective, it is clear that the virus has not disappeared but is in a continuous "evolutionary race." New variants, such as EG.5 and BA.2.86, exhibit mutations in the spike protein, granting them a greater ability to evade immunity acquired through previous vaccines or prior infections. This does not necessarily mean they are more deadly or cause more severe symptoms than previous varian…