Though the agency, RIVM, first thought the variant had appeared in the country with 14 passengers who tested positive for it while entering from South Africa on Nov. 26, retesting of samples used on Nov. 19 and Nov. 23 reported that the variant was already present in the Netherlands.
"It is not yet clear whether these people had also visited southern Africa," the agency said.
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In a special PCR test, the samples showed an abnormality in the spike protein. This raised the concern that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 might be involved. The samples were sent to RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment for confirmation. On Nov. 29, two samples were confirmed as the Omicron variant. It is not yet clear whether these people had also traveled to southern Africa. RIVM has informed the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) in the regions where the samples were taken. The GGD will inform the people involved and start source and contact tracing.
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On Nov. 26 2021, 624 people returning from South Africa were tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The passengers were tested at Schiphol Airport; 61 of them tested positive for COVID-19. In total, the Omicron variant was found in 14 of those people. Laboratory tests identified several different strains of the Omicron variant. This means that the people were probably infected independently, from different sources, and in different locations.
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Identifying the variant in South Africa urged several countries, including the United States, to limit the travel from countries in the southern African region. This new finding suggests that the mutation may not have originated there. Officials in Botswana said the omicron variant was present in their country even earlier, on Nov. 7, after retesting samples.
"It's not clear where the variant actually emerged," Stat News reported. "It could be that South Africa and Botswana saw it early because they have strong genetic sequencing networks."
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denounced the travel limitations, saying they punished the continent for sharing "crucial science and health information with the world."
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The extent of the Omicron variant is being watched closely around the world. Experts are eager to learn more as soon as possible. How contagious and destructive is the mutation? And how well do the existing vaccines work against this variant? All over the world, experts are in daily contact to answer these questions.
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