TY - JOUR
T1 - The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa
T2 - Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance
AU - Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI)
AU - Tegally, Houriiyah
AU - San, James E.
AU - Cotten, Matthew
AU - Moir, Monika
AU - Tegomoh, Bryan
AU - Mboowa, Gerald
AU - Martin, Darren P.
AU - Baxter, Cheryl
AU - Lambisia, Arnold W.
AU - Diallo, Amadou
AU - Amoako, Daniel G.
AU - Diagne, Moussa M.
AU - Sisay, Abay
AU - Zekri, Abdel Rahman N.
AU - Gueye, Abdou Salam
AU - Sangare, Abdoul K.
AU - Ouedraogo, Abdoul Salam
AU - Sow, Abdourahmane
AU - Musa, Abdualmoniem O.
AU - Sesay, Abdul K.
AU - Abias, Abe G.
AU - Elzagheid, Adem I.
AU - Lagare, Adamou
AU - Kemi, Adedotun Sulaiman
AU - Abar, Aden Elmi
AU - Johnson, Adeniji A.
AU - Fowotade, Adeola
AU - Oluwapelumi, Adeyemi O.
AU - Amuri, Adrienne A.
AU - Juru, Agnes
AU - Kandeil, Ahmed
AU - Mostafa, Ahmed
AU - Rebai, Ahmed
AU - Sayed, Ahmed
AU - Akano, Kazeem
AU - Balde, Aladje
AU - Christoffels, Alan
AU - Trotter, Alexander J.
AU - Campbell, Allan
AU - Keita, Alpha K.
AU - Kone, Amadou
AU - Bouzid, Amal
AU - Souissi, Amal
AU - Agweyu, Ambrose
AU - Naguib, Amel
AU - Gutierrez, Ana V.
AU - Nkeshimana, Anatole
AU - Page, Andrew J.
AU - Yadouleton, Anges
AU - Duedu, Kwabena O.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/10/7
Y1 - 2022/10/7
N2 - Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.
AB - Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.
KW - Africa/epidemiology COVID-19/epidemiology/virology Epidemiological Monitoring Genomics Humans Pandemics SARS-CoV-2/genetics
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85139379306
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85139379306#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1126/science.abq5358
DO - 10.1126/science.abq5358
M3 - Article
C2 - 36108049
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 378
SP - eabq5358
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 6615
M1 - eabq5358
ER -