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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has been proven to have a broad range of host species, including non-human primates, as well as domestic animals and pets. A high conservation degree in the structure of the ACE2 receptor, which is the critical protein for viral infection among vertebrate species, could lead to anthroponotic events. The present paper reports the first symptomatic human-to-dog transmission event of the SARS-CoV-2 Iota variant in Latin America. We found a total of 21 mutations shared across the complete genomes of owner and dog viral sequences. Further phylogenetic and molecular analysis showed a 100% support of clade co-localization supporting the transmission event. Spike protein structure prediction of sequenced virus and docking analyses showed that E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) could enhance viral affinity towards dACE2. Therefore, close contact should be avoided between humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 and pets to avoid the appearance of novel mutations of importance in public health from anthroponotic events.

Introduction. Currently, more than 1.8 billion doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been applied worldwide. However, some developing countries are still a long way from achieving herd immunity through vaccination. In some territories, such as the Colombian Amazon, mass immunization strategies have been implemented with the CoronaVac® vaccine. Due to its proximity to Brazil, where one of the variants of interest of SARS-CoV-2 circulates. Objective. To determine the efficacy of the CoronaVac® vaccine in a population of the Colombian Amazon. Methods. Between February 24, 2021, and May 19, 2021, a descriptive observational study was carried out in which a population of individuals over 18 years of age immunized with two doses of the CoronaVac® vaccine was evaluated. The study site was in the municipality of Mitú, Vaupés, in southeastern Colombia, a region located in the Amazon bordering Brazil. Results. 87% of the urban population of the Mitú municipality were vaccinated with CoronaVac®. To date, 2.1% of vaccinated individuals have become ill, and only 0.1% of these require hospitalization. No deaths attributable to COVID-19 have been reported among vaccinated individuals, and the vaccine has shown 97% efficacy against mild disease and 100% against severe infection. Conclusions. The herd immunity achieved through mass vaccination in this population has made it possible to reduce the rate of complicated cases and mortality from COVID-19 in this region of the Colombian Amazon.

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging viral pandemic disease. In the last six months, SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of reported cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. As other world regions, nowadays, South America has not contained the pandemic's advance since it lacks the hospital and economic capacities. Public health implications of transmission, while the asymptomatic infection is a critical concern at the current pandemic.Objective: Describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and viral kinetics features of a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from the Colombian Caribbean. Methods: Six hundred eighty-six clinical samples of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases and contacts individuals from several hospital centers in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, were received at our laboratory between April 9th and May 16th, 2020. RNA was extracted using lysis buffers and spin columns. The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR (Reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction) using commercially available multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of 3 target genes of SARS-CoV-2 (AllplexTM, 2019-nCoV assay, Korea). Viral copies quantification was done using a standard curve constructed from seriated dilutions of a SARS-CoV-2 positive control. Statics descriptive methods were used. Results: Thirty-five nasopharyngeal samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; the average age was 43 (range, 1-95 years). Seventeen of 35 (49%) of the patients showed symptoms. Most of them had a cough, fever, and odynophagia; three of the patients reported having arthralgia. Only two patients required hospitalization. None of the patients had known co-morbidities. RT-qPCR results show that two of the symptomatic patients had significantly higher RNA copies than the rest. Eighteen of 35 (51%) individuals were asymptomatic, and the average age was 30 (range, 6-61 years). Four asymptomatic individuals showed a higher copy than some symptomatic patients; nonetheless, the average of RNA copies 8.26 x10+10 was lower than the symptomatic.Conclusions: the population studied was young, with an average of 43 years in symptomatic and 30 years of asymptomatic; this is important because of the high impact in the economy. Because a large proportion of infections may result from transmission from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic persons, the usefulness of public health interventions in Colombian provinces should be based on molecular screening in a vast conglomerate population and quantify the viral load.