The dynamic change of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Sierra Leone.
Infect Genet Evol
; 98: 105208, 2022 03.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1611917
ABSTRACT
Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the emergence of multiple new variants posed an increased risk to global public health. The aim of this study is to investigate SARS-CoV-2 variants and possible transmission of variants of concern (VOCs) in Sierra Leone. A total of 65 nasal swab samples were collected from COVID-19 cases in Sierra Leone, among which 24 samples were collected during the second wave and 41 samples were collected during the third wave. Nanopore sequencing generated 54 SARS-CoV-2 whole genomes. The second COVID-19 wave was mainly caused by R.1 lineage while the third COVID-19 wave was dominated by B.1.617.2 lineage (Delta variant). The phylogenetic analysis suggested multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant into Sierra Leone and subsequent local transmission in this country. Our findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the urgent need for implementation of strengthened public health and social measures (PHSM) to control the spread of virus variants.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
/
Mutation
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Infect Genet Evol
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Communicable Diseases
/
Genetics
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.meegid.2022.105208
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