Genome sequencing allows for the compilation of the most comprehensive information about an organism’s genetic makeup. Using advanced next-generation sequencing methods, scientists can track and compare viral mutations to understand the origins of imported strains and to discover if any novel strains are emerging locally.

What has been achieved

Scientists in Kenya have successfully sequenced genomes of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining important information about the genetic composition of viral strains in 122 of the confirmed cases in Kenya.

The Study

KWTRP researchers, the KEMRI’s Centre for Virus Research (CVR) in collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) working closely with County teams have analysed samples from  selected cases to gain a comprehensive understanding of the variations of the virus that are present in the country.

The report indicates that there were at least 9 separate importations of SARS-CoV-2 into the country prior to 30th April 2020 based on a proportion of sequenced cases. The report further suggests infections detected and confirmed in March 2020 were largely from virus importation into the country.

The report, first of its kind in Kenya shows that SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in the country do not differ from viruses circulating elsewhere in the world and provided the first evidence for local transmissions in Mombasa county, with clusters of infections showing local transmission following these introductions.  Further sequencing hopes to describe the pattern of continuing spread both within communities and between counties across the country. Additional sequencing could also provide information on infections that have been missed and guide testing strategies.

Why is this work important?

Viruses acquire changes in their genetic sequence over time. Genetic sequences can therefore provide insights on person to person transmission, which can be visualized by drawing of genetic trees based on changes in the genetic sequence. This can provide additional estimates of the rate of spread of the virus which is useful where case surveillance and tracing is sparse. Furthermore, whole genome sequence data allows researchers to adapt testing reagents for new mutations in the virus to reduce false negative rates.

Sequencing of additional SARS-CoV-2 genomes in Kenya provides a more detailed picture of local transmission patterns. Additional sampling going forward in time, will also help researchers build a more complete tree to infer transmission patterns within local outbreaks and continue to monitor for evidence of transmission between geographical locations. Researchers will be able to estimate from the genetic distance between sequences how many infections may have been missed which will be useful in guiding future testing strategy.

The collaborative team has also developed the required capacity within Kenya for monitoring the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in the country and urges the scaling up of capacity across the country to generate a SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequence library to support and guide public health control measures.