Publications by authors named "Kaylynn J Genemaras"
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans.
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- The COVID-19 epidemic in the U.S. went largely unnoticed due to a lack of testing, with New Orleans experiencing one of the earliest outbreaks during Mardi Gras.
- Researchers sequenced SARS-CoV-2 genomes in Louisiana and found that the virus had limited diversity, indicating a single introduction led to most early cases.
- The study revealed that SARS-CoV-2 was likely present in New Orleans before Mardi Gras, and the event significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the virus, highlighting the impact of large gatherings on epidemics.
Article Synopsis
- The early COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. was largely unnoticed due to insufficient testing and prevention measures, particularly noticeable in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
- Genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Louisiana revealed that the virus had limited diversity at first and that one initial introduction was responsible for most early transmissions.
- The presence of the virus in New Orleans before Mardi Gras and the festival's large gatherings significantly sped up the spread, contributing to localized epidemics across the Southern U.S.