The University of Duhok organized a symposium on COVID-19 and its evolution
April 25, 2023, 2:17 p.m.

The University of Duhok, Covid-19 Center for Diagnosis and Research in collaboration with Andersen Lab, held a Scientific and Research-based International Symposium, in the Students Center at the University of Duhok on Thursday 1st of December 2022, which concentrated on manifesting the results of (the Kurdistan Project: analyze of 600 samples from Duhok city) that have been collaborated scientifically with the Scripps Research Institute in USA, as well as it provided a positive atmosphere for the esteemed researchers to come together to exchange, share knowledge, experiences and their latest scientific and research findings on the Covid-19 virus that has killed thousands of people worldwide.

The objective of the project was to track the putative variant of SARS-CoV2 circulating in the Kurdistan Region in general for the first time and contribute to the global effort toward elucidating the molecular epidemic profile of the virus. Clinical samples were collected from six hundred confirmed CoVID-19 patients in Duhok city from July 2021 up to March 2022, and were transported scientifically to Andersen Lab at the Scripps Research Institution in the USA, for investigation by performing whole-genome sequencing, which are a valuable method for researchers and it can help to identify possible disease-causing mutation.

The President of the University of Duhok Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, the President of American University Dr. Randall Rhodes, the President of Nawroz University Dr. Abdulwahab Khalid Mousa, and the President of Zakho University Dr. Nadhim Sulaiman Jakhsi, along with a number of Academic Researchers and Scientists from Duhok, Erbil, Baghdad and other cities of Iraq participated in this Symposium.

“Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives, the way we communicate, over the past two and half years we have had to shift the way approach most things in our life, it affected people across the globe, yet despite its immediate offense the pandemic lasting in society is not fully understood, it needs more research and investigations; this is what our UOD, COVID-19 center has been doing since its establishment just a year after COVID -19 started, besides its commitment to serving our students, faculty, staff, community, in general, it collected test data, analyze and have achieved notable results,” said Dr. Dawood Atrushi.

Dr. Jassim Mohammed Abdo, the Symposium chairman and the Director of the COVID-19 center in UOD said “Monitoring SARS-COV-2 mutations and their respective frequencies is essential, therefore, there is an urgent need for collaboration to promote data sharing and expansion of international genomic monitoring resources, this great facilities of understanding of viral transmission, the emergence of variants and their mutations rates which are critical for developing effective therapies and vaccines to their own condition and on a national level”. Also he added, “We had the opportunity to have a scientific collaboration with the Andersen Lab; as a result we succeed in investigating the genome sequencing of the SARS-COV-2 from 583 samples out of 600 patients with COVID-19 from our Region”.

“We found that the majority of the introductions into Iraq originated from Southern Asia and the Middle East, we also found that the first introduction of Delta variant into Iraq occurred months before travel instructions were implemented, our findings suggested that travel restrictions targeting single source country are unlikely to work for a rapidly spreading pathogen in a highly connected world with limited genomic surveillance,” said Praneeth Gangavarapu from Andersen Lab, Scripps Research.

Later on, ten researchers from Duhok Governorate presented their scientific research findings in this event, Dr. Hind Bahzad one of the speakers under the title (COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection among vaccinated healthcare workers) said “Three available vaccine manufacturers in the Duhok governorate are effective against COVID-19 BT infection, and dentists were associated with increased BT infection”. Dr. Manhal Ahmed, presented a research tilted (Public Awareness and Perceptions on COVID-19 in Duhok Province/Kurdistan Region). “Population of this study considered Covid-19 a serious illness, therefore, relying mainly in one source of information like social media could have unfavorable outcomes, more trusted and reliable sources supported by the government and health officials must be considered,” said Dr. Manhal Ahmed.

Following the presentations, a Covid-19 panel has been formed to provide the results of the joined study (Kurdistan Project); the main panelists were Dr. Muayad Merza, Dr. Jassim Mohammed Abdo, and Dr. Amer Abdulla Mehe, at the end of Panel the discussion took place between panelists and participants.

It is noteworthy; this collaboration was one year contract with the Scripps Research Institution in America, this is the first time to have this kind of crucial collaboration in Iraq and particularly in the Kurdistan Region. It is a privilege for the University of Duhok, Covid-19 Center for Diagnosis and Research to have first coordination with them, as a result of outstanding results the Andersen Lab extended its contract with our center for one year to cover 900 clinical samples from patients from all over Iraq.

This event will release practical and valuable results to boost management methods in dealing with novel diseases particularly Covid-19 in the Region, as well as a number of recommendations will be proposed to the concerned parties by the Symposium committee, including establishing an advanced Lab and professional staff in the Region for investigating the samples of patients in order to be well prepared for facing future viruses and Epidemics, also good quality control assertion is vital at Kurdistan Region’s borders for food and drug security, it is crucial that the government take serious plans to monitor the work of all agencies to make sure that people are having the best quality of drugs and food.