SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance as an evidence-based infection control approach in an offshore petroleum employee population

Authors

• Susanna L. Lamers, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• David J. Nolan, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• Tessa M. LaFleur, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• Benjamin N. Lain, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• Samual R. Moot, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• Christopher R. Huston, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA
• Chad D. Neilsen, UF Health Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
• Amy K. Feehan, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA
• Lucio Miele, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Rebecca Rose, BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-20-2022

Publication Title

American Journal of Infection Control

Abstract

Background: Industrial hygienists (IH) in the oil and gas business instituted an extraordinary number of safety protocols to limit spread of SARS-CoV-2 onto offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. We used genomic surveillance to provide actionable information concerning the efficacy of their efforts. Methods: Over 6 months, employees at a single company were serology and PCR tested during a 1-5 day predeployment quarantine and when postdeployment symptoms were reported. From each positive test (n = 49), SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was used to investigate the epidemiology of transmissions. Results: Genomic surveillance confirmed 2 viral strains were infecting 18 offshore workers. Genomic data combined with epidemiological data suggested that a change in quarantine protocols contributed to these outbreaks. A pre-deployment outbreak involved a WHO variant of interest (Theta) that had infected 4 international workers. Two additional predeployment clusters of infections were identified. Conclusions: Our findings support that IH quarantine/testing protocols limited viral transmissions, halted offshore outbreaks, and stopped the spread of a variant of interest. The study demonstrates how genomic data can be used to understand viral transmission dynamics in employee populations and evaluate safety protocols in the offshore oil and gas industry.

First Page

1013

Last Page

1019

PubMed ID

35598812

Volume

50

Issue

9

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Lamers, Susanna L.; Nolan, David J.; LaFleur, Tessa M.; Lain, Benjamin N.; Moot, Samual R.; Huston, Christopher R.; Neilsen, Chad D.; Feehan, Amy K.; Miele, Lucio; and Rose, Rebecca, "SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance as an evidence-based infection control approach in an offshore petroleum employee population" (2022). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4631.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4631
10.1016/j.ajic.2022.05.008