Publications by authors named "S Lycett"

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of risk-based travel restrictions on (1) international travel frequency, (2) SARS-CoV-2 case importation risk, (3) national SARS-CoV-2 incidence and (4) importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Scotland.

Design: Population-based surveillance study.

Setting: The study utilises SARS-CoV-2 community testing from February 2021 to May 2022 in Scotland, UK and spans the introduction of the UK's 'traffic light system' policy in May 2021.

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Article Synopsis
  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) poses a significant threat to public health and food security, with its ability to adapt and thrive in diverse host environments being a key concern.
  • Analysis of over 1,200 GBS genomes revealed that sublineages can be categorized into host-generalist, host-adapted, and host-restricted groups, each showing different levels of genetic recombination.
  • The study highlighted the role of specific accessory gene clusters associated with major host groups (humans, cattle, fish), which are crucial for GBS's adaptation and inter-species transmission, emphasizing the need to consider animal hosts in studying multi-host bacterial pathogens.
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Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a member of the capripoxvirus (CPPV) genus of the family. LSDV is a rapidly emerging, high-consequence pathogen of cattle, recently spreading from Africa and the Middle East into Europe and Asia. We have sequenced the whole genome of historical LSDV isolates from the Pirbright Institute virus archive, and field isolates from recent disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

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Article Synopsis
  • Since 2020, clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza H5N8 and H5N1 viruses have rapidly spread worldwide, threatening both poultry and public health.
  • A significant genotype change in the H5N8 virus in 2020 led to the emergence of a new H5N1 variant, which caused major outbreaks in Europe and North America during the 2021/2022 wave.
  • The study highlights that bird migration patterns and the genetic evolution of viruses in regions like Egypt are key factors in the spread of these viruses, suggesting strategies for effective monitoring and prevention of future outbreaks.
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Background: West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks in birds, humans, and livestock have occurred in multiple areas in Europe and have had a significant impact on animal and human health. The patterns of emergence and spread of WNV in Europe are very different from those in the US and understanding these are important for guiding preparedness activities.

Methods: We mapped the evolution and spread history of WNV in Europe by incorporating viral genome sequences and epidemiological data into phylodynamic models.

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