Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa

Viana, Raquel; Moyo, Sikhulile; Amoako, Daniel G.; Tegally, Houriiyah; Scheepers, Cathrine; Althaus, Christian L.; Anyaneji, Ugochukwu J.; Bester, Phillip Armand; Boni, Maciej F.; Chand, Mohammed; Choga, Wonderful T.; Colquhoun, Rachel; Davids, Michaela; Deforche, Koen; Doolabh, Deelan; Plessis, Louis du; Engelbrecht, Susan; Everatt, Josie; Giandhari, Jennifer; Giovanetti, Marta; Hardie, Diana; Hill, Verity; Hsiao, Marvin; Iranzadeh, Arash; Ismail, Arshad; Joseph, Charity; Joseph, R; Koopile, Legodile; Pond, Sergei L. Kosakovsky; Kraemer, Moritz U. G.; Kuate-Lere, Lesego; Laguda-Akingba, Oluwakemi; Lesetedi-Mafoko, Onalethatha; Lessells, Richard; Lockman, Shahin; Lucaci, Alexander G.; Maharaj, Arisha; Mahlangu, Boitshoko; Maponga, Tongai; Mahlakwane, Kamela; Makatini, Zinhle; Marais, Gert; Maruapula, Dorcas; Masupu, Kereng; Matshaba, Mogomotsi; Mayaphi, Simnikiwe H.; Mbhele, Nokuzola; Mbulawa, Mpaphi B.; Mendes, Adriano; Mlisana, Koleka; Mnguni, Anele; Mohale, Thabo; Moir, Monika; Moruisi, Kgomotso; Mosepele, Mosepele; Motsatsi, Gerald; Motswaledi, Modisa S.; Mphoyakgosi, Thongbotho; Msomi, Nokukhanya; Mwangi, Peter N.; Naidoo, Yeshnee; Ntuli, Noxolo; Nyaga, Martin M.; Olubayo, Lucier; Pillay, Sureshnee; Radibe, Botshelo; Ramphal, Yajna; Ramphal, Upasana; San, James Emmanuel; Scott, Lesley; Shapiro, Roger; Singh, Lavanya; Smith-Lawrence, Pamela; Stevens, Wendy; Strydom, Amy; Subramoney, Kathleen; Tebeila, Naume; Tshiabuila, Derek; Tsui, Joseph; Wyk, Stephanie van; Weaver, Steven; Wibmer, Constantinos Kurt; Wilkinson, Eduan; Wolter, Nicole; Zarebski, Alexander E.; Zuze, Boitumelo; Goedhals, Dominique; Preiser, Wolfgang; Treurnicht, Florette K.; Venter, Marietjie; Williamson, Carolyn; Pybus, Oliver G.; Bhiman, Jinal N.; Glass, Allison; Martin, Darren P.; Rambaut, Andrew; Gaseitsiwe, Simani; Gottberg, Anne von; Oliveira, Túlio de

doi:10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y

articleNatureJan 7, 2022HYBRID OA

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa

RVRaquel Viana SMSikhulile Moyo DGDaniel G. Amoako HTHouriiyah Tegally CSCathrine Scheepers

Lancet Laboratories · Harvard University · +33 more institutions

PubMed

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Abstract

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in southern Africa has been characterized by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, while the second and third waves were driven by the Beta (B.1.351) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants, respectively 1–3 . 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, B.1.1.529) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for…

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Transmission (telecommunications)
Genome
Virology
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Population
Neutralization
Biology

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

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