Data from: The contrasting phylodynamics of human influenza B viruses

A complex interplay of viral, host and ecological factors shape the
spatio-temporal incidence and evolution of human influenza viruses.
Although considerable attention has been paid to influenza A viruses, a
lack of equivalent data means that an integrated evolutionary and
epidemiological framework has until now not been available for influenza B
viruses, despite their significant disease burden. Through the analysis of
over 900 full genomes from an epidemiological collection of more than
26,000 strains from Australia and New Zealand, we reveal fundamental
differences in the phylodynamics of the two co-circulating lineages of
influenza B virus (Victoria and Yamagata), showing that their individual
dynamics are determined by a complex relationship between virus
transmission, age of infection and receptor binding preference. In sum,
this work identifies new factors that are important determinants of
influenza B evolution and epidemiology.