Covid-19: Omicron variant circulated in Africa before detection in SA - study | News24

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When the Omicron variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 was first discovered in South Africa and Botswana, it dominated and drove infections around the world. | TebogoMonama

It was first detected in a patient in South Africa in mid-November 2021 and spread to 87 countries in just a few weeks. By the end of December 2021, it had replaced the previously dominant Delta variant worldwide.

Now, a new study published in the journal Science this week, showed that Omicron's predecessors existed on the African continent months before cases had been identified.The study, by Stellenbosch University, other African institutions, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany - further suggested that Omicron emerged gradually over several months in different African countries.

The new analysis, by Stellenbosch University researchers of Covid-19 samples collected in Africa before the first detection of Omicron, casts doubt on both of these theories. An analysis of the genome sequence data found viruses with Omicron-specific mutations in 25 people from six different African countries who contracted Covid-19 in August and September 2021 - two months before the variant was first detected in South Africa and Botswana.Gallo Images OJ Koloti, Gallo Images

 

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TebogoMonama It wasn't discovered first in SA. It was first discovered in Europe but they kept it a secret

TebogoMonama Surely News 24, you must see the elephant in h the room now?

TebogoMonama “The natural vaccine”

TebogoMonama What a yawn fest you people are 🥱🥱🥱

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