The genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages collected during routine sentinel surveillance in Tanzania between November 2022 and July 2023
This study provides key insights into the genetic diversity and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Tanzania. It highlights regional discrepancies in lineage distribution, identifying sixteen Omicron lineages and the dominance of clades 22 F (XBB*) and 22E (BQ.1) in the country. The presence of Tanzania-specific clades suggests sustained local transmission of the virus. These findings underscore the importance of enhanced integrated genomic surveillance systems and ongoing monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
Authors
- Ambele Mwafulango
- Ibrahim Ireneus Mauki
- Shimba Henerico (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0615)
- Gerald Misinzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1827-6403)
- Seth Inzaule
- Peter Van Heusden (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6553-5274)
- Jackson Peter Mushumbusi
- Robert Baluhya
- Omega Machange
- Ferdinand Ndunguru
- Azizi H. Ituka
- Maria Ezekiely Kelly
- Olympia Godbless Machange
- Adela Kisanga
- Lawrence Amon Mapunda
- Ramdhani Libenanga
- Japhet Msuya
- Monica Francis
- Nyambura Moremi
Institutions
- Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (TZ)
- WWF Tanzania (TZ)
- Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (TZ)
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (NL)
- Bugando Medical Centre (TZ)
- Sokoine University of Agriculture (TZ)
- University of the Western Cape (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Genomics
- Published
- 2026-02-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-12656-4
- Primary Topic
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00