Advances in Virology (Jan 2023)

High Transmission Rates of Early Omicron Subvariant BA.2 in Bangkok, Thailand

  • Sininat Petcharat,
  • Ananporn Supataragul,
  • Piyapha Hirunpatrawong,
  • Pattama Torvorapanit,
  • Chonticha Klungthong,
  • Piyawan Chinnawirotpisan,
  • Sasiprapa Ninwattana,
  • Nattakarn Thippamom,
  • Leilani Paitoonpong,
  • Gompol Suwanpimolkul,
  • Watsamon Jantarabenjakul,
  • Rome Buathong,
  • Khajohn Joonlasak,
  • Wudtichai Manasatienkij,
  • Khwankamon Rattanatumhi,
  • Napaporn Chantasrisawad,
  • Nuntana Chumpa,
  • Thomas S. Cotrone,
  • Stefan Fernandez,
  • Sira Sriswasdi,
  • Supaporn Wacharapluesadee,
  • Opass Putcharoen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4940767
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2023

Abstract

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The emergence of Omicron as the fifth variant of concern within the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in late 2021, characterized by its rapid transmission and distinct spike gene mutations, underscored the pressing need for cost-effective and efficient methods to detect viral variants, especially given their evolving nature. This study sought to address this need by assessing the effectiveness of two SARS-CoV-2 variant classification platforms based on RT-PCR and mass spectrometry. The primary aim was to differentiate between Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2 variants using 618 COVID-19-positive samples collected from Bangkok patients between November 2011 and March 2022. The analysis revealed that both BA.1 and BA.2 variants exhibited significantly higher transmission rates, up to 2-3 times, when compared to the Delta variant. This research presents a cost-efficient approach to virus surveillance, enabling a quantitative evaluation of variant-specific public health implications, crucial for informing and adapting public health strategies.