Overview of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout four waves of the pandemic

AimCOVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a profound impact on global health, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which faced unique challenges due to limited testing and high mortality rates. This analysis aimed to identify mutations and detect different SARS-CoV-2 lineages across four pandemic waves.MethodologyA total of 127 SARS-CoV-2 samples were collected and sequenced from patients from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing a comprehensive overview of the viral genetic diversity in this region. Two sequencing platforms, Ion Torrent and Illumina, were used, whereby 37 samples were sequenced on the Ion Torrent platform, while others were sequenced on the Illumina platform.ResultsThis study presents a genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina over four distinct pandemic waves, spanning from March 2020 to April 2023. Examination of genomic variations across these waves revealed key mutations associated with transmission and potential virulence.ConclusionThese genomic insights into SARS-CoV-2 evolution in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance to understand viral evolution and strengthen public health responses to future pandemics.