To find out more, scientists have used mathematical network algorithms to visualize many evolutionary trees at the same time. This technique was previously known to map the movements of prehistoric populations through DNA. This is the first time this technique has been used to monitor the pathways of infection of a coronavirus such as SARS-CoV-2.

Dr Forster and colleagues said they used data from medical samples taken from around the world between December 24, 2019 and March 4, 2020.

Through sequence analysis of 160 complete viral genomes taken from patients, the researchers found three different variants of the new strain of corona virus, including closely related lineages clusters. . Names of interim variations are: A, B and C.

In particular, variant SARS-CoV-2 type A closest to the type found in bats appears in Wuhan, but not common. A large number of type A viruses are mainly found in patients from the US and Australia.

The type B variant, which is the main type in Wuhan, is mostly popular among patients from all over East Asia.

Variant C is the main European type, found in patients from France, Italy, Sweden and England. It is not found in mainland China research samples but is found in Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea.

This study is evaluated very important by genetic network techniques that accurately map infection routes. Therefore, the scientists believe that it could help predict potential infectious hotspots in the future to implement strict quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic across the country. bridge.