The Network

The structure of the network includes a combination of in-country sequencing countries and those sending-out for external sequencing to either of the 8 Regional Sequencing Laboratories, which provide external sequencing for the participating laboratories. Also, , regional and country-level trainings, and additional support actions to generate timely information of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing data are available through the Network. PAHO encourages laboratories to sequence COVID-19 positive samples and timely share genetic information through the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, GISAID platform.

Regional Sequencing Laboratories: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz – Brazil; Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile – Chile; Instituto Nacional de Salud – Colombia; Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud – Costa Rica; Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos – Mexico; Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud- Panama; University of the West Indies - Trinidad and Tobago; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – United States of America

COV|GEN

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.

Lab technician in Haiti preparesDNA samples.

SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Sequencing Laboratories

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.

Variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Americas

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.

Mutation refers to any change in the virus genome.
Some specific mutations define the viral genetic groups currently circulating globally.
In general, a mutated virus is considered a variant of the original virus.
There are different types of mutations. Variants can differ by one or more or those.
Although most of the mutations have no impact, some may result in the virus being more transmissible, or facilitating the virus to escape immune response.
In the community, the higher the transmission level, the higher is the likelihood of viral mutations to occur.

When these variants have a potential impact or risk for public health, they are considered variants of concern (VOC).

Variants classification¹

SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Interest (VOI)

A SARS-CoV-2 isolate is a variant of interest (VOI) if it is phenotypically changed compared to a reference isolate or has a genome with mutations that lead to amino acid changes associated with established or suspected phenotypic implications1;

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.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC)

A VOI (as defined above) is a variant of concern (VOC) if, through a comparative assessment, it has been demonstrated to be associated with

Increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology;
Increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; or
Decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics.

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

GISAID - VARIANT TRACKER

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:

Virus transmissibility;
Disease severity;
Efficacy of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

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:

Immediately report to PAHO/WHO initial cases/clusters associated with VOI or VOC infection through the IHR mechanism.
Submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID.
Where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOI or VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, or other relevant characteristics.
Perform laboratory assessments or contact WHO for support to conduct laboratory assessments on the impact of the VOI or VOC on diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization or other relevant characteristics.