PLOS Global Public Health (Jan 2023)

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 during the first four waves in Mozambique

  • Nalia Ismael,
  • Stephanie van Wyk,
  • Houriiyah Tegally,
  • Jennifer Giandhari,
  • James Emmanuel San,
  • Monika Moir,
  • Sureshnee Pillay,
  • Christian Utpatel,
  • Lavanya Singh,
  • Yeshnee Naidoo,
  • Upasana Ramphal,
  • Nédio Mabunda,
  • Nuro Abílio,
  • Paulo Arnaldo,
  • Joicymara Xavier,
  • Daniel Gyamfi Amoako,
  • Josie Everatt,
  • Yajna Ramphal,
  • Arisha Maharaj,
  • Leonardo de Araujo,
  • Ugochukwu J. Anyaneji,
  • Derek Tshiabuila,
  • Sofia Viegas,
  • Richard Lessells,
  • Susan Engelbrecht,
  • Eduardo Gudo,
  • Ilesh Jani,
  • Stefan Niemann,
  • Eduan Wilkinson,
  • Túlio de Oliveira

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 3

Abstract

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Mozambique reported the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2020 and it has since spread to all provinces in the country. To investigate the introductions and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Mozambique, 1 142 whole genome sequences sampled within Mozambique were phylogenetically analyzed against a globally representative set, reflecting the first 25 months of the epidemic. The epidemic in the country was marked by four waves of infection, the first associated with B.1 ancestral lineages, while the Beta, Delta, and Omicron Variants of Concern (VOCs) were responsible for most infections and deaths during the second, third, and fourth waves. Large-scale viral exchanges occurred during the latter three waves and were largely attributed to southern African origins. Not only did the country remain vulnerable to the introductions of new variants but these variants continued to evolve within the borders of the country. Due to the Mozambican health system already under constraint, and paucity of data in Mozambique, there is a need to continue to strengthen and support genomic surveillance in the country as VOCs and Variants of interests (VOIs) are often reported from the southern African region.