Genetic structure of SARS-CoV-2 reflects clonal superspreading and multiple independent introduction events, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, February and March 2020
- Andreas Walker1,2 , Torsten Houwaart2,3 , Tobias Wienemann3 , Malte Kohns Vasconcelos3 , Daniel Strelow3 , Tina Senff1 , Lisanna Hülse3 , Ortwin Adams1 , Marcel Andree1 , Sandra Hauka1 , Torsten Feldt4 , Björn-Erik Jensen4 , Verena Keitel4 , Detlef Kindgen-Milles5 , Jörg Timm1 , Klaus Pfeffer3 , Alexander T Dilthey3
- View Affiliations Hide AffiliationsAffiliations: 1Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany2These authors contributed equally3Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany4Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany5Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, GermanyCorrespondence:Alexander T Diltheyalexander.diltheymed.uni-duesseldorf.de
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Citation style for this article:Walker Andreas, Houwaart Torsten, Wienemann Tobias, Vasconcelos Malte Kohns, Strelow Daniel, Senff Tina, Hülse Lisanna, Adams Ortwin, Andree Marcel, Hauka Sandra, Feldt Torsten, Jensen Björn-Erik, Keitel Verena, Kindgen-Milles Detlef, Timm Jörg, Pfeffer Klaus, Dilthey Alexander T. Genetic structure of SARS-CoV-2 reflects clonal superspreading and multiple independent introduction events, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, February and March 2020. Euro Surveill. 2020;25(22):pii=2000746. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.22.2000746Received: 25 Apr 2020; Accepted: 04 Jun 2020
Abstract
We whole-genome sequenced 55 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from Germany to investigate SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in 2020 in the Heinsberg district and Düsseldorf. While the genetic structure of the Heinsberg outbreak indicates a clonal origin, reflecting superspreading dynamics from mid-February during the carnival season, distinct viral strains were circulating in Düsseldorf in March, reflecting the city’s international links. Limited detection of Heinsberg strains in the Düsseldorf area despite geographical proximity may reflect efficient containment and contact-tracing efforts.

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