Dispersion patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variants Gamma, Lambda and Mu in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Gräf Tiago , Martinez Alexander A. , Bello Gonzalo , Dellicour Simon , Lemey Philippe , Colizza Vittoria , Mazzoli Mattia , Poletto Chiara , Cardoso Vanessa Leiko Oikawa , da Silva Alexandre Freitas ,   COVIGEN, Baumeister Elsa , Campos Josefina , Pontoriero Andrea , Martin Indira , Ferguson Kirvina , Johnson Draven , Beckles Songee , Forde Kasandra , Sosa Aldo , Melendez Roberto , Loayza Roxana , Avila Cinthia , Fernández Evelin Esther Fortun , Otazo Carol Jessica Guzman , Siqueira Marilda Mendonça , Motta Fernando Couto , de Oliveira Santos Katia Corrêa , Abbud Adriano , dos Santos Mirleide Cordeiro , de Almeida Ferreira Jessylene , Fasce Rodrigo , Fernandes Jorge , Rangel Sergio Gómez , Mercado Marcela Maria , Pelaez Dioselina , Soto-Garita Claudio , Cordero-Laurent Estela , Duarte-Martínez Francisco , Brenes Hebleen , Sanchez Isaac Miguel , Imbert Yvonne , Caicedo Alfredo Bruno , de Mora Coloma Domenica Joseth , López Dalia Xochitl Sandoval , Alvarado Denis Gerson Jovel , Morán Deny Lisset Martínez , Pacheco Claudia , Mendoza Linda , Whyte-Chin Joyce , Abdul-Kadir Mustapha , Boncy Jacques , Journel Ito , Paz Mitzi Castro , Alvarado Sofia Carolina , Avilez Soany , Brown Michelle , Arambula Caludia Elena Wong , González Ernesto Ramírez , Martinez Alexander A. , Gonzalez Claudia M. , Moreno Arevalo Brechla , Franco Danilo , Lopez-Verges Sandra , Pascale Juan Miguel , Vazquez Cynthia , Gonzalez Sandra , Serrano Nancy Rojas , Rojas Carlos Patricio Padilla , Pinas Phyllis , Asebeh Navienda , Carrington Christine V. F. , Sahadeo Nikita S. D. , Chiparelli Hector , Goñi Natalia , Rodriguez Lieska , D’Angelo Pierina , Motta Fernando Couto , Resende Paola Cristina , Siqueira Marilda M. , Franco Leticia , Gresh Lionel , Gabastou Jean-Marc , Rodriguez Angel , Vicari Andrea , Aldighieri Sylvain , Mendez-Rico Jairo , Leite Juliana Almeida 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLatin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions were an important epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Through the COVID-19 Genomic Surveillance Regional Network (COVIGEN), LAC countries produced an important number of genomic sequencing data that made possible an enhanced SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance capacity in the Americas, paving the way for characterization of emerging variants and helping to guide the public health response. In this study we analyzed approximately 300,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences generated between February 2020 and March 2022 by multiple genomic surveillance efforts in LAC and reconstructed the diffusion patterns of the main variants of concern (VOCs) and of interest (VOIs) possibly originated in the Region. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the spread of variants Gamma, Lambda and Mu reflects human mobility patterns due to variations of international air passenger transportation and gradual lifting of social distance measures previously implemented in countries. Our results highlight the potential of genetic data to reconstruct viral spread and unveil preferential routes of viral migrations that are shaped by human mobility patterns.