News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Some experts suggest Omicron variant may have evolved in an animal host. Parent comment

Re:Some experts suggest Omicron variant may have evolved in ... by dhosek on Thursday December 02, 2021 @01:43PM (#29420481)
Regarding #2, it's likely that Omicron did not emerge in Africa but elsewhere. South Africa has the best genetic surveillance on the planet which is why they're picking up evidence of new variants more often than other countries.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Some experts suggest Omicron variant may have evolved in ... by abrowne on Thursday December 02, 2021 @02:15PM (#29421017)
Similarly, the second case in the US was just found in here in Minnesota, probably for the same reason (at least compared to the rest of the US). MN typically has "more" cases of seasonal diseases like flu compared to other states since our Dept of Health has been reasonably functional and funded.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Some experts suggest Omicron variant may have evolved in ... by jsnell on Thursday December 02, 2021 @06:46PM (#29424656)
That is ridiculous. South Africa has a fine program. But it's not the best of the world, or even one of the best 20 in the world.

https://twitter.com/MaxCRoser/status/1465970246934749188/pho...

If this had been circulating in Europe, North America, or South America before Africa, we'd know. If it came from Asia or the Middle East, it'd be quite odd that it didn't get exported to Europe but just to Asia. It's overwhelmingly likely that it originated somewhere in Southern Africa, though the exact country will be anybody's guess right now.

[ Parent | on HN ]