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Updated: Aug 19, 2025

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Published on: January 16, 2019
Pattern of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.519 emergence in Alaska.
Tracie J Haan1, Lisa K Smith2, Stephanie DeRonde2
1Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA.
In early 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.519 variant dominated Alaska, unlike the rest of the US. Viral characteristics likely explain its unique spread in the state.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Alaska's low population density and unique demographics may influence infectious disease dynamics.
- Early 2021 saw distinct patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Alaska compared to the contiguous United States.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.519 in Alaska.
- To compare SARS-CoV-2 variant composition in Alaska with the contiguous US.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,323 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Alaska and 278,635 from the contiguous US (December 2020 - June 2021).
- Tracking variant prevalence over time, focusing on lineage B.1.1.519 and Alpha (B.1.1.7).
Main Results:
- Lineage B.1.1.519 peaked at 77.9% prevalence in Alaska in April 2021, compared to 4.6% in the rest of the US.
- Earlier B.1.1.519 emergence in Alaska coincided with a later peak of the Alpha variant.
- Observed differences in variant composition between Alaskan regions and a modest COVID-19 case increase during B.1.1.519's peak.
Conclusions:
- The unique spread of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.519 in Alaska was likely driven by viral characteristics, potentially including spike protein mutations.
- Distinct population dynamics in Alaska may have contributed to observed variant patterns.
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