Five Years Since the First Omicron Case: A Global Health Milestone
As we mark the fifth anniversary of the detection of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, it is a poignant moment to reflect on the rapid spread and significant impact of this variant on global health.
Discovery and Initial Spread
The Omicron variant, scientifically labeled as B.1.1.529, was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa on November 24, 2021. The variant was initially detected in laboratories in Botswana and South Africa, with the first known samples collected in Johannesburg, South Africa, as early as November 8, 2021[1].
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