An updated framework for SARS-CoV-2 variants reflects the unpredictability of viral evolution May 1, 2024· Lorenzo Subissi , James Richard Otieno , Nathalie Worp , Homa Attar Cohen , Bas B. Oude Munnink , Laith J. Abu-Raddad , Erik Alm , Amal Barakat , Wendy S. Barclay , Jinal N. Bhiman , Leon Caly , Meera Chand , Mark Chen , Ann Cullinane , Tulio de Oliveira , Christian Drosten , Julian Druce , Paul Effler , Ihab El Masry , Adama Faye , Elodie Ghedin , Rebecca Grant , Bart L. Haagmans , Christian Happi , Belinda L. Herring , Emma B. Hodcroft , Juniorcaius Ikejezie , Victoria Katawera , Zyleen Alnashir Kassamali , Yee Sin Leo , Gabriel M. Leung , Rebecca J. Kondor , Marco Marklewitz , Jairo Mendez-Rico , Nada M. Melhem , Vincent Munster , Karen Nahapetyan , Dhamari Naindoo , Djin Ye Oh , Thomas P. Peacock , Malik Peiris , Zhibin Peng , Leo L. M. Poon , Andrew Rambaut , Senjuti Saha , Yinzhong Shen , Marilda M. Siqueira , Erik Volz , Sofonias K. Tessema , Volker Thiel , Henda Triki , Sylvie van der Werf , Karin von Eije , Jane Cunningham , Marion P. G. Koopmans , Anne von Gottberg , Anurag Agrawal , Maria D. Van Kerkhove · 0 min read URL Cite DOI Abstract The World Health Organization framework for tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants has been updated to reflect the continued evolution of the virus; this framework could be adapted for other emerging respiratory diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential. Type 2 Publication Nature Medicine publication Last updated on May 1, 2024 ← Standardized Phylogenetic Classification of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus below the Subgroup Level Aug 1, 2024 Informing the pandemic response: the role of the WHO’s COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update Apr 1, 2024 →