Viana, Raquel; Moyo, Sikhulile; Amoako, Daniel G; Tegally, Houriiyah; Scheepers, Cathrine; Althaus, Christian L.; Anyaneji, Ugochukwu J; Bester, Phillip A; Boni, Maciej F; Chand, Mohammed; Choga, Wonderful T; Colquhoun, Rachel; Davids, Michaela; Deforche, Koen; Doolabh, Deelan; du Plessis, Louis; Engelbrecht, Susan; Everatt, Josie; Giandhari, Jennifer; Giovanetti, Marta; ... (2022). Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa. Nature, 603(7902), pp. 679-686. Macmillan Journals Ltd. 10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y
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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in southern Africa has been characterised by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, whilst the second and third waves were driven by the Beta and Delta variants, respectively1-3. In November 2021, genomic surveillance teams in South Africa and Botswana detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with a rapid resurgence of infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Within three days of the first genome being uploaded, it was designated a variant of concern (Omicron) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for carrying over 30 mutations in the spike glycoprotein, predicted to influence antibody neutralization and spike function4. Here, we describe the genomic profile and early transmission dynamics of Omicron, highlighting the rapid spread in regions with high levels of population immunity.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) |
UniBE Contributor: |
Althaus, Christian |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services |
ISSN: |
0028-0836 |
Publisher: |
Macmillan Journals Ltd. |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Andrea Flükiger-Flückiger |
Date Deposited: |
28 Jan 2022 19:31 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 16:05 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y |
PubMed ID: |
35042229 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/164860 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/164860 |
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