Intense transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Africa might promote emergence of variants. We describe 10 SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Benin during early 2021 that harbored mutations associated with variants of concern. Benin-derived SARS-CoV-2 strains were more efficiently neutralized by antibodies derived from vaccinees than patients, warranting accelerated vaccination in Africa.
Keywords: Benin; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; West Africa; coronavirus disease; mutations; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; variant of concern; viruses; zoonoses.