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Use of Genomics to Track Coronavirus Disease Outbreaks, New Zealand.

Authors :
Geoghegan JL
Douglas J
Ren X
Storey M
Hadfield J
Silander OK
Freed NE
Jelley L
Jefferies S
Sherwood J
Paine S
Huang S
Sporle A
Baker MG
Murdoch DR
Drummond AJ
Welch D
Simpson CR
French N
Holmes EC
de Ligt J
Source :
Emerging infectious diseases [Emerg Infect Dis] 2021 May; Vol. 27 (5), pp. 1317-1322.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Real-time genomic sequencing has played a major role in tracking the global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), contributing greatly to disease mitigation strategies. In August 2020, after having eliminated the virus, New Zealand experienced a second outbreak. During that outbreak, New Zealand used genomic sequencing in a primary role, leading to a second elimination of the virus. We generated genomes from 78% of the laboratory-confirmed samples of SARS-CoV-2 from the second outbreak and compared them with the available global genomic data. Genomic sequencing rapidly identified that virus causing the second outbreak in New Zealand belonged to a single cluster, thus resulting from a single introduction. However, successful identification of the origin of this outbreak was impeded by substantial biases and gaps in global sequencing data. Access to a broader and more heterogenous sample of global genomic data would strengthen efforts to locate the source of any new outbreaks.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1080-6059
Volume :
27
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Emerging infectious diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33900175
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2705.204579