Subregional origins of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants during the second pandemic wave in Côte d’Ivoire

• DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-01984-2
• Publication Date: 2023-03-18T02:02:27Z
• Authors: Etilé A. Anoh; Oby Wayoro; Pacôme Monemo; Essia Belarbi; Andreas Sachse; Eduan Wilkinson; James E. San; Fabian H. Leendertz; Bamourou Diané; Sébastien Calvign...; Chantal Akoua-Koffi; Grit Schubert
• Keywords: Pandemic; Cote d ivoire; Coronavirus

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with increased transmissibility, virulence and immune escape abilities have heavily altered the COVID-19 pandemic's course. Deciphering local global transmission patterns of those is thus key in building a profound understanding virus' spread around globe. In present study, we investigate SARS-CoV-2 variant epidemiology Côte d'Ivoire, Western sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore generated 234 full genomes stemming from Central Northern d'Ivoire. Covering first second pandemic wave country had been facing, identified 20 viral lineages showed that d'Ivoire 2021 was driven by Alpha (B.1.1.7) Eta (B.1.525) variant. Our analyses are consistent limited number international introductions into introduction events mostly stemmed within West African subregion. This suggests subregional travel to more impact on waves than direct intercontinental travel.