Sentinel surveillance of COVID-19 in 2024-2025 shows the persistence of Omicron circulation and the introduction of the XFJ recombinant in the Republic of Guinea

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Introduction several studies have shown the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 between 2020 and 2023 in Guinea. This study provides updated information on the circulation dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 from 2024 to 2025 and the variants circulating in Guinea. st1 Methods as part of the integrated influenza/COVID-19 sentinel surveillance program, 2423 nasopharyngeal samples were analysed using RT-PCR, and those positive for SARS-CoV-2 were sequenced using the Illumina COVIDSeq Assay protocol. st2 Results all age groups, ranging from 64 years, were affected by COVID-19, with an average SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate of 2.3%. The virus showed sporadic activity throughout the 2024-2025 period, with a higher level of activity during epidemiological week 42 (October) of 2024. Genomic analysis showed that only the Omicron variant circulated, along with its subvariants JN.1 and LF.7, in 2024. Subvariant LF.7 and recombinant XFJ also circulated in 2025. st3 Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 subvariants continue to circulate sporadically in Guinea, with the XFJ recombinant having been detected in humans. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen sentinel, genomic, and environmental surveillance for the early detection of any new COVID-19 outbreak and the potential emergence of new variants. st4