We’re pleased to share the publication, “International importance and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants Alpha, Delta, and Omicron BA.1 into Spain.” This study analyzes how major COVID-19 variants entered and spread throughout Spain, highlighting the significant role of international travel and connections in introducing new variants. The findings show that each variant—Alpha, Delta, and Omicron BA.1—followed distinct entry routes and transmission patterns, underscoring the impact of global mobility on local outbreaks. These insights not only improve our understanding of the pandemic’s evolution in Spain but also inform future strategies for monitoring and controlling the spread of emerging infectious diseases. Explore the full paper for detailed results and implications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-025-00912-9