Global UV radiation variability, trends and impact on the seasonality of VIRal infections (GUVIR)

The project aims to elaborate the role of weather and climate on the seasonality of viral infections and the intensity of waves of epidemics.

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) affects the health of the planet through its impact on all ecosystems. Viruses are the most abundant microbes on our planet, and they can cause epidemics among e.g. humans, animals, and plants. The GUVIR project aims to elaborate on the role of solar UVR on the seasonality of viral infections and the intensity of waves of epidemics. Molecular level studies will be conducted in laboratory and field experiments to study the effects of UVR on the genetic stability and infectivity of viruses. Epidemiological modeling will be used to study UVR impacts on the onset and intensity of epidemics. Global UVR trends will be calculated from biologically weighted satellite UVR data. The results will increase the understanding regarding how solar UVR affects virus inactivation, genetics, and biodiversity on Earth, and thus broadly to the planetary health. Consortium parties are the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the University of Helsinki.