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Omicron-BA.1 Dispersion Rates in Mexico Varied According to the Regional Epidemic Patterns and the Diversity of Local Delta Subvariants

Authors :
Selene Zárate
Blanca Taboada
Mauricio Rosales-Rivera
Rodrigo García-López
José Esteban Muñoz-Medina
Alejandro Sanchez-Flores
Alfredo Herrera-Estrella
Bruno Gómez-Gil
Nelly Selem Mojica
Angel Gustavo Salas-Lais
Joel Armando Vazquez-Perez
David Alejandro Cabrera-Gaytán
Larissa Fernandes-Matano
Luis Antonio Uribe-Noguez
Juan Bautista Chale-Dzul
Brenda Irasema Maldonado Meza
Fidencio Mejía-Nepomuceno
Rogelio Pérez-Padilla
Rosa María Gutiérrez-Ríos
Antonio Loza
Benjamin Roche
Susana López
Carlos F. Arias
Source :
Viruses, Vol 15, Iss 1, p 243 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Purpose: The Omicron subvariant BA.1 of SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in November 2021 and quickly spread worldwide, displacing the Delta variant. In this work, a characterization of the spread of this variant in Mexico is presented. Methods: The time to fixation of BA.1, the diversity of Delta sublineages, the population density, and the level of virus circulation during the inter-wave interval were determined to analyze differences in BA.1 spread. Results: BA.1 began spreading during the first week of December 2021 and became dominant in the next three weeks, causing the fourth COVID-19 epidemiological surge in Mexico. Unlike previous variants, BA.1 did not exhibit a geographically distinct circulation pattern. However, a regional difference in the speed of the replacement of the Delta variant was observed. Conclusions: Viral diversity and the relative abundance of the virus in a particular area around the time of the introduction of a new lineage seem to have influenced the spread dynamics, in addition to population density. Nonetheless, if there is a significant difference in the fitness of the variants, or if the time allowed for the competition is sufficiently long, it seems the fitter virus will eventually become dominant, as observed in the eventual dominance of the BA.1.x variant in Mexico.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19994915
Volume :
15
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Viruses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1aa9872670f94056a52ba92e618d1d6c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010243