Hello,

 

Please join us for our next LenZes Seminar, the series that “zooms in” to the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of a specific field. This session features Dr. Carla Mavian, virologist and Research Assistant Scientist with the Department of Pathology in the College of Medicine on the topic of “What do we know about Florida coronaviruses?”. Dr. Mavian will present the findings from a SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology surveillance program run by a research team here at UF. Please find an abstract below for more information on this exciting project.

 

Save the link: https://ufl.zoom.us/j/97895210902?pwd=UDE5Y1I3SlZxLyt5cTB0UlQwMXBaUT09

 

 

 

Project Abstract:

 

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has caused a dramatic resurgence in infections and hospitalizations in the United Sates, raising questions regarding the extent of protection of currently available vaccines and its circulation and potential transmissibility among vaccinated individuals. 

 

A SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology surveillance program was initiated on October 2020, collecting a subset of positive samples from University of Florida (UF) Pathology labs and UF Shands Hospital, serving Alachua County, Florida, residents. Between October 2020 and end of July 2021, we sequenced 4,439 SARS-CoV-2 full genomes, representing 23% of all know infections in the county, and identified 109 vaccine breakthrough cases. Contract tracing and phylogenetic analysis were used to investigate direct transmissions involving vaccinated individuals. 

 

Emerging coronavirus threats from zoonotic transmission in the Caribbean area were also monitored and characterized in Haiti and surrounding regions. Our results show ongoing transmissions among vaccine breakthrough cases, as well as the emergence of novel canine and porcine coronaviruses capable of infecting human hosts, thus underlying not only the need for scale up vaccination efforts but also for continuous monitoring of potential animal reservoirs within a comprehensive One Health framework.

 

We hope to see you all there!

 

Kind regards,

 

Thomas Field | [log in to unmask]

Media Manager, One Health Center of Excellence

McCarty Hall D, Room G-047B

Office: 352.273.8929

P.O. Box 110135, Gainesville, FL 32611

https://onehealth.ifas.ufl.edu​

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