COVID -19 Genomic Surveillance Regional Network
The participation on the COVID-19 Genomic Surveillance Regional Network is open to all the countries of the Americas through the National Public Health Laboratories.
For more detailed information on partnering with us, please contact the PAHO Regional Office: leitejul@paho.org, ricoj@paho.org.
© Pan American Health Organization, 2020. All rights reserved.
Report production: Paho Health Emergencies Department (PHE): Influenza Surveillance Team/ Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) and Data Management, Analytics & Products/ Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessments (HIM).
Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in these maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Pan American Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.
Since the initial genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2, the virus has been divided into different genetic groups. The occurrence of mutations is a natural and expected event within the evolution process of the virus.
When these variants have a potential impact or risk for public health, they are considered variants of concern (VOC).
Variants classification1
AND
has been identified to cause community transmission2/multiple COVID-19 cases/clusters, or has been detected in multiple countries;
OR
is otherwise assessed to be a VOI by WHO in consultation with the WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group.
OR
assessed to be a VOC by WHO in consultation with the WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group.
1https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/covid-19-weekly-epidemiological-update
Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Virus mutations or variants are being monitored from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) sequencing database. WHO routinely assesses if variants of SARSCoV-2 have an impact on:
Risk assessment for variants of concern to determine if there will be public health implications are routinely performed.
Main actions by a Member State, if a VOI or VOC is identified: