Emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) - highlights Africa's research capabilities, but exposes major knowledge gaps, inequities of vaccine distribution, inadequacies in global COVID-19 response and control efforts
Eskild Petersen, Francine Ntoumi, David S.C. Hui, Aisha Abubakar, Laura D. Kramer, Christina W. Obiero, Paul Anantharajah Tambyah, Lucille Blumberg, Richard B. Yapi, Seif Al-Abri, Tatiana Castro Abreu Pinto, Dorothy Yeboah‐Manu, Najmul Haider, Danny Asogun, Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan, Nathan Kapata, Matthew Bates, Rashid Ansumana, Chiara Montaldo, Luchenga Adam Mucheleng’anga, John Tembo, Peter Mwaba, Cordelia Himwaze, Muzamil Mahdi Abdel Hamid, Sayoki Mfinanga, Leonard E. G. Mboera, Tajudeen Raj, Eleni Aklillu, Francisco Veas, Sarah Edwards, Pontiano Kaleebu, Timothy D. McHugh, Jeremiah Chakaya, Thomas Nyirenda, Moses J. Bockarie, Peter S. Nyasulu, Christian Wejse, Jean‐Jacques Muyembé‐Tamfum, Esam I. Azhar, Markus Maeurer, Jean B. Nachega, Richard Kock, Giuseppe Ippolito, Alimuddin Zumla
Abstract
Nearly two years since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has caused over 5 million deaths, the world continues to be on high COVID-19 alert. The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with national authorities, public health institutions and scientists have been closely monitoring and assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 since January 2020 (WHO 2021a; WHO 2021b). The emergence of specific SARS-CoV-2 variants were characterised as Variant of Interest (VOI) and Variant of Concern (VOC), to prioritise global monitoring and research, and to inform the ongoing global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO and its international sequencing networks continuously monitor SARS-CoV-2 mutations and inform countries about any changes that may be needed to respond to the variant, and prevent its spread where feasible.