Epidemiology and Genetic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Myanmar during the Community Outbreaks in 2020
Wint Wint Phyu,
Reiko Saito,
Keita Wagatsuma,
Takashi Abe,
Htay Htay Tin,
Eh Htoo Pe,
Su Mon Kyaw Win,
Nay Chi Win,
Lasham Di Ja,
Sekizuka Tsuyoshi,
Kuroda Makoto,
Yadanar Kyaw,
Irina Chon,
Shinji Watanabe,
Hideki Hasegawa,
Hisami Watanabe
Affiliations
Wint Wint Phyu
Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Reiko Saito
Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Keita Wagatsuma
Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Takashi Abe
Division of Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
Htay Htay Tin
National Health Laboratory, Department of Medical Services, Dagon Township, Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Eh Htoo Pe
National Health Laboratory, Department of Medical Services, Dagon Township, Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Su Mon Kyaw Win
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Nay Chi Win
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Lasham Di Ja
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Sekizuka Tsuyoshi
Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
Kuroda Makoto
Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
Yadanar Kyaw
Respiratory Medicine Department, Thingangyun Sanpya General Hospital, Yangon 110-71, Myanmar
Irina Chon
Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Shinji Watanabe
Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
Hideki Hasegawa
Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
Hisami Watanabe
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
We aimed to analyze the situation of the first two epidemic waves in Myanmar using the publicly available daily situation of COVID-19 and whole-genome sequencing data of SARS-CoV-2. From March 23 to December 31, 2020, there were 33,917 confirmed cases and 741 deaths in Myanmar (case fatality rate of 2.18%). The first wave in Myanmar from March to July was linked to overseas travel, and then a second wave started from Rakhine State, a western border state, leading to the second wave spreading countrywide in Myanmar from August to December 2020. The estimated effective reproductive number (Rt) nationwide reached 6–8 at the beginning of each wave and gradually decreased as the epidemic spread to the community. The whole-genome analysis of 10 Myanmar SARS-CoV-2 strains together with 31 previously registered strains showed that the first wave was caused by GISAID clade O or PANGOLIN lineage B.6 and the second wave was changed to clade GH or lineage B.1.36.16 with a close genetic relationship with other South Asian strains. Constant monitoring of epidemiological situations combined with SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis is important for adjusting public health measures to mitigate the community transmissions of COVID-19.
