Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics
In Ukraine, SARS-CoV-2 detection and national genomic surveillance have been complicated by full-scale war, limited resources, and varying levels of public health infrastructure impacted across the country. Following the Spring of 2022, only a paucity of data have been reported describing the preval...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/1000 |
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| author | Anna Iaruchyk Jason Farlow Artem Skrypnyk Serhii Matchyshyn Alina Kovalchuk Iryna Demchyshyna Mykhailo Rosada Aron Kassahun Aregay Jarno Habicht |
| author_facet | Anna Iaruchyk Jason Farlow Artem Skrypnyk Serhii Matchyshyn Alina Kovalchuk Iryna Demchyshyna Mykhailo Rosada Aron Kassahun Aregay Jarno Habicht |
| author_sort | Anna Iaruchyk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In Ukraine, SARS-CoV-2 detection and national genomic surveillance have been complicated by full-scale war, limited resources, and varying levels of public health infrastructure impacted across the country. Following the Spring of 2022, only a paucity of data have been reported describing the prevalence and variant dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in the country. Comparative whole genome analysis has overtaken diagnostics as the new gold standard for detecting and tracing emerging variants while showing utility to rapidly inform diagnostics, vaccine strategies, and health policy. Herein, we provide an updated report characterizing the dynamics and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from 1 May 2022 to 31 March 2024. The present study extends previous reports for disease incidence Waves 1–4 in Ukraine with the addition herein of Waves 5, 6, and 7, occurring from August to November 2022 (Wave 5), February to May 2023 (Wave 6), and October 2023 to January 2024 (Wave 7). During the study period, the national Case Fatality Rate (CFR) fluctuated between 0.46% and 1.74%, indicating a consistent yet modest rate when compared to the global average. The epidemiological dynamics of Variants of Concern (VOCs) in Ukraine reflected global patterns over this period, punctuated by the rise of the BA.5 lineage and its subsequent replacement by the Omicron subvariants XBB and JN.1. Our analysis of variant dispersal patterns revealed multiple potential spatiotemporal introductions into Ukraine from Europe, Asia, and North America. Our results highlight the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance to monitor variant dynamics and support global efforts to control and mitigate COVID-19 disease risks as new variants arise. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a0cbd4a857e484a86d6467127144e3f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a0cbd4a857e484a86d6467127144e3f2025-08-20T03:32:36ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-07-01177100010.3390/v17071000Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant DynamicsAnna Iaruchyk0Jason Farlow1Artem Skrypnyk2Serhii Matchyshyn3Alina Kovalchuk4Iryna Demchyshyna5Mykhailo Rosada6Aron Kassahun Aregay7Jarno Habicht8World Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkrainePathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USAWorld Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkraineWorld Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkraineWorld Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkrainePublic Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 04071 Kyiv, UkrainePublic Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 04071 Kyiv, UkraineWorld Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkraineWorld Health Organization Country Office, 01021 Kyiv, UkraineIn Ukraine, SARS-CoV-2 detection and national genomic surveillance have been complicated by full-scale war, limited resources, and varying levels of public health infrastructure impacted across the country. Following the Spring of 2022, only a paucity of data have been reported describing the prevalence and variant dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in the country. Comparative whole genome analysis has overtaken diagnostics as the new gold standard for detecting and tracing emerging variants while showing utility to rapidly inform diagnostics, vaccine strategies, and health policy. Herein, we provide an updated report characterizing the dynamics and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from 1 May 2022 to 31 March 2024. The present study extends previous reports for disease incidence Waves 1–4 in Ukraine with the addition herein of Waves 5, 6, and 7, occurring from August to November 2022 (Wave 5), February to May 2023 (Wave 6), and October 2023 to January 2024 (Wave 7). During the study period, the national Case Fatality Rate (CFR) fluctuated between 0.46% and 1.74%, indicating a consistent yet modest rate when compared to the global average. The epidemiological dynamics of Variants of Concern (VOCs) in Ukraine reflected global patterns over this period, punctuated by the rise of the BA.5 lineage and its subsequent replacement by the Omicron subvariants XBB and JN.1. Our analysis of variant dispersal patterns revealed multiple potential spatiotemporal introductions into Ukraine from Europe, Asia, and North America. Our results highlight the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance to monitor variant dynamics and support global efforts to control and mitigate COVID-19 disease risks as new variants arise.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/1000SARS-CoV-2genomic epidemiologygenomic surveillanceOmicronwhole genome sequencingvariant dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Anna Iaruchyk Jason Farlow Artem Skrypnyk Serhii Matchyshyn Alina Kovalchuk Iryna Demchyshyna Mykhailo Rosada Aron Kassahun Aregay Jarno Habicht Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics Viruses SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology genomic surveillance Omicron whole genome sequencing variant dynamics |
| title | Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics |
| title_full | Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics |
| title_fullStr | Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics |
| title_short | Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine from May 2022 to March 2024 Reveals Omicron Variant Dynamics |
| title_sort | genomic epidemiology of sars cov 2 in ukraine from may 2022 to march 2024 reveals omicron variant dynamics |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology genomic surveillance Omicron whole genome sequencing variant dynamics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/1000 |
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