China was severely criticised for the long delay in sharing information and posting the genome sequence data. But when South Africa and Botswana diligently posted the sequence data on the public database, they were penalised. What incentive will countries have in sharing data on a timely fashion. If China was severely criticised for keeping the … Continue reading Criticised if delayed in sharing data, punished for diligently posting data
Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)
ACTREC’s automated tool makes SARS-CoV-2 genome mutation analysis easy
The IPD tool can automatically determine the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, carry out mutation analysis with respect to the Wuhan sequence and finally based on the mutations seen in each sample assign it to the respective phylogenetic clade. Assigning a sample to a phylogenetic clade is based on the complete profile of mutations seen … Continue reading ACTREC’s automated tool makes SARS-CoV-2 genome mutation analysis easy
Soon all 52 labs to confirm COVID-19 cases, but what about sequencing?
Finally, by March 13, to avoid delay, all 52 labs will be able to confirm novel coronavirus cases without sending samples to NIV Pune for confirmation. Similarly, it's time India empowers national labs to undertake whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses/bacteria. The global recognition of the Pune-based National Institute of Virology’s “demonstrated expertise” … Continue reading Soon all 52 labs to confirm COVID-19 cases, but what about sequencing?
SARS-CoV-2: Finally, India shares genome sequence data with GISAID
A day after I reported that India has not shared genome sequence data of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with GISAID, NIV shared two sequences on March 5. India has finally shared two whole genome sequence data of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). The two sequences were … Continue reading SARS-CoV-2: Finally, India shares genome sequence data with GISAID
India yet to share genome sequence data of novel coronavirus even as 23 countries have done so
Even as 23 countries, including Nepal, Vietnam and Cambodia, have shared genome sequence data of the novel coronavirus, India has not. Till date, 159 sequence data of the virus have have deposited by these countries, with China alone posting 65 sequences. China isolated the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) from a patient and shared the first whole … Continue reading India yet to share genome sequence data of novel coronavirus even as 23 countries have done so
Zika: When research goes off the rails
The World Health Organisation (WHO) may have designated the Zika virus and its suspected complications in newborns as a public health emergency of international concern, but this has not concerned Brazil which has so far refused to share virus samples and data with WHO collaborating centres. This is not only frustrating and delaying the development … Continue reading Zika: When research goes off the rails
Mutations make H1N1 virulent, spread easily
The 2014 Indian H1N1 strain has undergone “important haemagglutinin (HA) mutations” that make it more easily transmissible and virulent in humans, notes a study published on March 11 in the journal Cell Host and Microbe. The result contradicts the claim made by the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) that the H1N1 Influenza A strain … Continue reading Mutations make H1N1 virulent, spread easily
Editorial: Silent spread of H7N9
With the continued spread of influenza A(H7N9) virus to 127 people in China and a concomitant increase in the number of deaths (26), the outbreak has confirmed what the World Health Organisation had earlier noted — H7N9 is “definitely one of the most lethal influenza viruses we have seen so far.” Nineteen people infected with … Continue reading Editorial: Silent spread of H7N9
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