Genomic sequencing reveals the course of COVID-19 in Africa GenomicSequencing COVID19 Coronavirus SARSCoV2 Africa StellenboschUni
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDSep 16 2022Reviewed by Aimee Molineux Africa lagged in genome sequencing during the first two years of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 . However, with increased funding, over 100,000 genomes have now been sequenced from this continent.
Of these, Beta and Omicron were first detected in Africa, though the other two also caused significant cases on this continent. In response to the growing threat posed by the emergence of VOCs, samples were collected from multiple sites for sequencing. However, in April 2020, only 20 African countries had this capability.
The current study, published in Science, explores the contribution of genomic sequencing to the scientific understanding of COVID-19 in this continent and also introduces global public health measures via the ability to pick up new variants early enough. Other lineages that competed with Alpha included B.1.525 and A.23.1, which were finally outcompeted by later emerging VOCs. The differences in lineage by region could be due to virus genetics, human mobility, competition between co-circulating lineages, and immunity levels.Download a copy today
The data comes from combining epidemiologic data with genomic sequencing data, along with information on the temporal and size-related characteristics of these waves. However, some countries have tested only one in ten million population, while others have tested over 10,000 per ten million, indicating grossly heterogeneous testing rates.
Ultimately, a mix of strategies from local sequencing, collaborative resource sharing among African countries and sequencing with academic collaborators outside the continent helped close surveillance blind spots.”
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