biostudies-literatureUnknown4(11)Mushegian ACenters for Disease Control and PreventionDivision of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesPathogen sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic has generated more whole genome sequencing data than for any other epidemic, allowing epidemiologists to monitor the transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. However, large parts of the world are heavily underrepresented in sequencing efforts, including the Caribbean islands. We performed genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from upper respiratory tract samples collected in Haiti during the spring of 2020. We used phylogenetic analysis to assess the pandemic dynamics in the Caribbean region and observed that the epidemic in Haiti was seeded by multiple introductions, primarily from the United States. We identified the emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.478) from Haiti that spread into North America, as well as evidence of the undocumented spPLOS global public healthe0003536https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11578445biostudies-literatureGenomic analysis of the early COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti reveals Caribbean-specific variant dynamics.PMC11578445Desormeaux AMNelson MIBoncy JPierre KBanakis SChung MJuin SRoder AGhedin ELafontant DMederos CKreitman AJournel IButeau JMushegian AJean Charles NLGrant-Greene YMarseille SfalseGenomic analysis of the early COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti reveals Caribbean-specific variant dynamics.Pathogen sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic has generated more whole genome sequencing data than for any other epidemic, allowing epidemiologists to monitor the transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. However, large parts of the world are heavily underrepresented in sequencing efforts, including the Caribbean islands. We performed genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from upper respiratory tract samples collected in Haiti during the spring of 2020. We used phylogenetic analysis to assess the pandemic dynamics in the Caribbean region and observed that the epidemic in Haiti was seeded by multiple introductions, primarily from the United States. We identified the emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.478) from Haiti that spread into North America, as well as evidence of the undocumented sp2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242025-04-04T13:41:43.695Z2025-04-04T13:41:43.695ZS-EPMC115784453956575310.1371/journal.pgph.0003536