Research project VIRAL merges Sweden’s entire population data with cutting-edge analytics to explore how Covid‑19, Influenza, and Puumala virus drive disease severity and complications. By creating a new severity index and linking lab-confirmed infections to clinical outcomes, VIRAL aims to predict, track, and ultimately help prevent the worst outcomes of future viral pandemics.
VIRAL (Viral Infections Research Assessment Linkage) integrates comprehensive Swedish registry data, laboratory records, and advanced statistical methods to study infections by SARS‑CoV‑2, Influenza, and Puumala virus in the entire population. By developing a novel severity index, VIRAL aims to uncover how age, comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors influence everything from mild presentations to critical complications—informing better forecasting, policy, and pandemic preparedness.
VIRAL tackles a critical gap in infectious disease research by unifying nationwide data on laboratory-verified viral infections with clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic variables. Focusing on three main pathogens—SARS‑CoV‑2, Influenza, and Puumala hantavirus—the project goes beyond traditional case counts and hospital-based studies. It compiles large-scale registry information from Sweden’s unique personal identity number system, providing a granular view of each patient’s healthcare journey.
Central to VIRAL is the development of a high-resolution severity index, which classifies infections based on hospitalization, organ support needs, and clinical lab markers. This index will allow researchers to compare outcomes—such as cardiovascular or renal complications—across different viruses at equivalent severity levels.
Ultimately, VIRAL’s framework aims to refine how we measure, compare, and respond to viral outbreaks, ensuring that healthcare systems can better anticipate high-risk patients and optimize resource allocation. By correlating real-world infection data with long-term clinical outcomes, VIRAL creates a robust evidence base for shaping next-generation public health strategies in pandemic preparedness.
