1. Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria
- Author
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Idowu B. Olawoye, Paul E. Oluniyi, Judith U. Oguzie, Jessica N. Uwanibe, Adeyemi T. Kayode, Testimony J. Olumade, Fehintola V. Ajogbasile, Edyth Parker, Philomena E. Eromon, Priscilla Abechi, Tope Sobajo, Chinedu Ugwu, George Uwem, Femi Ayoade, Kazeem Akano, Nicholas Oyejide, Iyanuoluwa Fred-Akintunwa, Kemi Adedotun-Sulaiman, Farida Brimmo, Benjamin Adegboyega, Courage Philip, Ayomide Adeleke, Grace C. Chukwu, Ahmed I. Muhammad, Oludayo O. Ope-ewe, Shobi Otitoola, Olusola A. Ogunsanya, Mudasiru F. Saibu, Ayotunde E. Sijuwola, Grace O. Ezekiel, Oluwagboadurami G. John, Julie O. Akin-John, Oluwasemilogo O. Akinlo, Olanrewaju O. Fayemi, Testimony O. Ipaye, Deborah C. Nwodo, Abolade E. Omoniyi, Iyobosa B. Omwanghe, Christabel A. Terkuma, Johnson Okolie, Olubukola Ayo-Ale, Odia Ikponmwosa, Ebo Benevolence, Okonofua Naregose, Akhilomen Patience, Osiemi Blessing, Airende Micheal, Agbukor Jacqueline, Aiyepada John, Paulson Ebhodaghe, Omiunu Racheal, Esumeh Rita, Giwa Rosemary, Ehikhametalor Solomon, Ekanem Anieno, Yerumoh Edna, Aire Chris, Adomeh Donatus, Ephraim Ogbaini, Mirabeau Y. Tatfeng, Hannah E. Omunakwe, Mienye Bob-Manuel, Rahaman Ahmed, Chika Onwuamah, Joseph Shaibu, Azuka Okwuraiwe, Anthony E. Atage, Andrew Bock-Oruma, Funmi Daramola, Akinwumi Fajola, Nsikak-Abasi Ntia, Julie J. Ekpo, Anietie Moses, Worbianueri B. Moore-Igwe, Ibrahim F. Yusuf, Enoch O. Fakayode, Monilade Akinola, Ibrahim Kida, Bamidele S. Oderinde, Zara Wudiri, Olufemi O. Adeyemi, Olusola Akanbi, Anthony Ahumibe, Afolabi Akinpelu, Oyeronke Ayansola, Olajumoke Babatunde, Adesuyi Omoare, Chimaobi Chukwu, Nwando Mba, Ewean C. Omoruyi, Johnson A. Adeniji, Moses O. Adewunmi, Oluseyi Olayinka, Olisa Olasunkanmi, Olatunji Akande, Ifeanyi Nwafor, Matthew Ekeh, Erim Ndoma, Richard Ewah, Rosemary Duruihuoma, Augustine Abu, Elizabeth Odeh, Venatious Onyia, Kingsley C. Ojide, Sylvanus Okoro, Daniel Igwe, Kamran Khan, Anthony N. Ajayi, Ebhodaghe Ngozi Ugwu, Collins N. Ugwu, Kingsley Ukwuaja, Emeka O. Ogah, Chukwuyem Abejegah, Nelson Adedosu, Olufemi Ayodeji, Rafiu O. Isamotu, Galadima Gadzama, Brittany Petros, Katherine J. Siddle, Stephen Schaffner, George Akpede, Cyril Oshomah Erameh, Marycelin Baba, Femi Oladiji, Rosemary Audu, Nnaemeka Ndodo, Adeola Fowotade, Sylvanus Okogbenin, Peter Okokhere, Danny Park, Bronwyn Mcannis, Ifedayo Adetifa, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Babatunde L. Salako, Oyewale Tomori, Anise N. Happi, Onikepe A. Folarin, Kristian G. Andersen, Pardis C. Sabeti, and Christian T. Happi
- Abstract
Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Our results show how regional connectivity in downsampled regions like Africa can often influence virus transmissions between neighbouring countries. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission in the region, generating actionable information for public health decision makers in the region.
- Published
- 2022
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