@article{Viana_R-2022_80484,
title = {Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa},
author = {Viana, R. and Moyo, S. and Amoako, D. and Tegally, H. and Scheepers, C. and Althaus, C. and Anyaneji, U. and Bester, P. and Boni, M. and Chand, M. and Choga, W. and Colquhoun, R. and Davids, M. and Deforche, K. and Doolabh, D. and du Plessis, L. and Engelbrecht, S. and Everatt, J. and Giandhari, J. and Giovanetti, M. and Hardie, D. and Hill, V. and Hsiao, N. and Iranzadeh, A. and Ismail, A. and Joseph, C. and Joseph, R. and Koopile, L. and Kosakovsky Pond, S. and Kraemer, M. and Kuate-Lere, L. and Laguda-Akingba, O. and Lesetedi-Mafoko, O. and Lessells, R. and Lockman, S. and Lucaci, A. and Maharaj, A. and Mahlangu, B. and Maponga, T. and Mahlakwane, K. and Makatini, Z. and Marais, G. and Maruapula, D. and Masupu, K. and Matshaba, M. and Mayaphi, S. and Mbhele, N. and Mbulawa, M. and Mendes, A. and Mlisana, K. and Mnguni, A. and Mohale, T. and Moir, M. and Moruisi, K. and Mosepele, M. and Motsatsi, G. and Motswaledi, M. and Mphoyakgosi, T. and Msomi, N. and Mwangi, P. and Naidoo, Y. and Ntuli, N. and Nyaga, M. and Olubayo, L. and Pillay, S. and Radibe, B. and Ramphal, Y. and Ramphal, U. and San, J. and Scott, L. and Shapiro, R. and Singh, L. and Smith-Lawrence, P. and Stevens, W. and Strydom, A. and Subramoney, K. and Tebeila, N. and Tshiabuila, D. and Tsui, J. and van Wyk, S. and Weaver, S. and Wibmer, C. and Wilkinson, E. and Wolter, N. and Zarebski, A. and Zuze, B. and Goedhals, D. and Preiser, W. and Treurnicht, F. and Venter, M. and Williamson, C. and Pybus, O. and Bhiman, J. and Glass, A. and Martin, D. and Rambaut, A. and Gaseitsiwe, S. and von Gottberg, A. and De Oliveira, T.},
month = {jan},
year = {2022},
abstract = {The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in southern Africa has been characterised by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, whilst the second and third waves were driven by the Beta and Delta variants, respectively. In November 2021, genomic surveillance teams in South Africa and Botswana detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with a rapid resurgence of infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Within three days of the first genome being uploaded, it was designated a variant of concern (Omicron) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for carrying over 30 mutations in the spike glycoprotein, predicted to influence antibody neutralization and spike function. Here, we describe the genomic profile and early transmission dynamics of Omicron, highlighting the rapid spread in regions with high levels of population immunity.},
journal = {Nature},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04411-y},
}
