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It is estimated that by the end of February 2022 at least 17% of the Australian adult population had recently been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the results published today in the serological survey of Australia’s latest antibody. to the virus in blood donors. The vast majority of these infections are thought to have occurred during the omicron wave that began in December 2021. According to the results of the survey, the proportion of infected people was at least twice that reported. to the authorities at the end of February 2022..
The serological survey was conducted by the National Immunization Research and Surveillance Center (NCIRS) and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and other research partners.
The highest proportion of adults with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was found in Queensland (26%), followed by Victoria (23%) and New South Wales (21%), while Western Australia had the highest lowest (0.5%).
The serographic survey method detects higher proportions of infection than routine surveillance based on cases diagnosed and reported at the time of infection, which ignores people who did not show a test or the positive result of the test does not authorities have been informed.
The National Antibody Survey was conducted in late February and early March 2022, approximately 6 weeks after the peak of the omicron wave in New South Wales, the territory of the Australian capital, Queensland. and Victoria and before a substantial broadcast in Western Australia.
“The general pattern of antibody positivity in blood donors was consistent with the pattern of reported cases by the end of February 2022: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland had major outbreaks and Western Australia had a community transmission very limited, “says Dr. Dorothy Machalek, Principal Investigator of the Kirby Institute Project. “Similarly, young blood donors had the highest infection rate, coinciding with the highest number of cases in this age group.”
The researchers examined 5,185 unidentified samples from Australian blood donors between the ages of 18 and 89 to find COVID-19-related antibody tests. Two types of antibodies to SAR-CoV-2 were tested: antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein, which provides an indication for a past infection, and antibodies to the ear protein, which may indicate a past infection and / or vaccination.
Evidence of past infection was highest among 18- to 29-year-old donors at 27.2%, decreasing with age to 6.4% in 70- to 89-year-old donors in Victoria. New South Wales and Queensland. In Western Australia, evidence of recent infection was extremely low in all age groups. Nationally, the proportion of the population with ear protein antibodies was much higher, at around 98%.
“As expected, a very high proportion of blood donors had antibodies against the COVID-19 virus ear protein, with little variation by age group and sex. This is probably due to high vaccination rates. among blood donors, as well as in the wider population, “says Professor Kristine Macartney, NCIRS Director and Professor at the University of Sydney.
“Upcoming rounds of blood donor serological surveys will allow us to understand how many infections occur throughout 2022,” said Professor Macartney. “We are also conducting a second national seropediatric survey that began collection in June and this will give us a better view of the transmission in children and adolescents.”
The ongoing blood donor survey, conducted by the Kirby Institute and NCIRS in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, also includes researchers from the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at Doherty Institute, NSW Health Pathology ICPMR, University of Sydney and Murdoch Children’s. Research Institute.
Residual blood donation samples used in the survey were obtained from Lifeblood processing centers across the country and were disconnected from any identifying information other than age, gender, and zip code. Therefore, individual results cannot be returned to blood donors.
“Lifeblood Australian Red Cross encourages anyone who wants to contribute to this type of research to become a regular donor. The donation has many benefits, including finding out your blood type,” says Professor David Irving, Director of Research. and development of the Australian Red Cross. Life limit.
The next round of the Lifeblood donor survey has begun in mid-June. This time point will estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the spread of Omicron BA.2 and other subvariants. Data are provided to all states, territories and the Commonwealth Government under the Australian National Disease Surveillance Plan for VOCID-19.
It is estimated that at least one in 500 children has taken COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic.
Provided by Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society
Citation: Australian COVID-19 cases higher than reported (2022, June 20) recovered on June 20, 2022
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