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Tracing the international arrivals of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants after Aotearoa New Zealand reopened its border

Author

Listed:
  • Jordan Douglas

    (University of Auckland)

  • David Winter

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • Andrea McNeill

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • Sam Carr

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • Michael Bunce

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • Nigel French

    (Massey University
    Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • James Hadfield

    (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre)

  • Joep Ligt

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research)

  • David Welch

    (University of Auckland)

  • Jemma L. Geoghegan

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research
    University of Otago)

Abstract

In the second quarter of 2022, there was a global surge of emergent SARS-CoV-2 lineages that had a distinct growth advantage over then-dominant Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineages. By generating 10,403 Omicron genomes, we show that Aotearoa New Zealand observed an influx of these immune-evasive variants (BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5) through the border. This is explained by the return to significant levels of international travel following the border’s reopening in March 2022. We estimate one Omicron transmission event from the border to the community for every ~5,000 passenger arrivals at the current levels of travel and restriction. Although most of these introductions did not instigate any detected onward transmission, a small minority triggered large outbreaks. Genomic surveillance at the border provides a lens on the rate at which new variants might gain a foothold and trigger new waves of infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan Douglas & David Winter & Andrea McNeill & Sam Carr & Michael Bunce & Nigel French & James Hadfield & Joep Ligt & David Welch & Jemma L. Geoghegan, 2022. "Tracing the international arrivals of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants after Aotearoa New Zealand reopened its border," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34186-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34186-9
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