Ancient viral genomes reveal introduction of human pathogenic viruses into Mexico during the transatlantic slave trade
Targeted ancient DNA capture applied to skeletal remains from a Colonial hospital and chapel in Mexico City recovers three human parvovirus B19 genomes and one hepatitis B virus genome whose closest relatives are African strains, in hosts whose genetic ancestry and strontium isotope signatures point to African birth, giving direct molecular evidence that these viruses reached New Spain during the transatlantic slave trade.