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Although its discovery was only announced 5 days ago, exactly how long Omicron has been spreading in Africa - or internationally - still isn't known. A report from the Netherlands RIVM (National Institute for Public Health) today confirms that two samples collected on Nov 19th and on Nov 23rd have tested positive for the Omicron variant.
It is likely that we'll continue to learn about earlier transmissions of this variant, now that public health officials know what they should be looking for.
All of this matters because the longer Omicron has been in the wind, the further it will have spread.
Omikron variant found in two previously collected test samples
Publication date 11/30/2021 | 11:15
the RIVM National Institute for Health and Environment has found the corona variant omikron in two test samples that had already been taken in the Netherlands in November. These are samples taken from the GGDMunicipal health service on 19 and 23 November 2021. Saltro, the lab that performed the tests, sent the samples to RIVM.
The samples gave in a special PCR polymerase chain reaction-tests for an abnormality in the so-called spike protein. This gave rise to the suspicion that it was the omikron variant. The samples have been sent to RIVM National Institute for Health and Environment sent to confirm. On November 29, it turned out that two samples were indeed the omikron variant. It is not yet clear whether the people concerned have also been to southern Africa. The RIVM has the GGD Municipal health service'and where the samples were taken. The GGDs inform the people concerned and start source and contact investigations.
On November 26, 624 people returning from South Africa were tested for the corona virus at Schiphol. Of these, 61 passengers received a positive test result. In total, the omikron variant was diagnosed in 14 of them. During the laboratory investigation, different types of virus strains of the omikron variant were found. This means that the people most likely got infected separately from each other, from a different source and in a different place.
Follow the spread in the Netherlands
In the coming period, various studies will be conducted into the distribution of the omikron variant in the Netherlands. For example, the samples of positively tested people returning from southern Africa are further examined at various laboratories in the Netherlands. RIVM will also retroactively examine more samples from laboratories that routinely perform the special PCR test and that showed the abnormality in the protein. Finally, RIVM, together with 31 Dutch laboratories, monitors the occurrence of variants of the coronavirus via the National Germ Surveillance .
Exchange information internationally
Internationally, the distribution of the omikron variant is closely monitored. Experts would like to know more as soon as possible. How contagious and sickening is the variant? And how well do the existing vaccines work against this variant? There are daily contacts with experts from all over the world about this. For example, experts from RIVM are represented in weekly meetings of the World Health Organization (WHO) and ECDCEuropean Center for Disease Prevention and Control (the European RIVM) and there is a special European network where signals about the coronavirus and variants are exchanged daily.
Update
The reference laboratories at RIVM and Erasmus MCErasmus University Medical Centerwork closely with various laboratories and the GGDs to collect more information about the omikron variant. On Tuesday 7 December, RIVM will provide an update on the situation on the website.
