Geneva: The COVID-19 variants of B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2, which were first identified in India, have been given names of ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’ respectively, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Monday. It named variants of the coronavirus using Greek alphabets.
“Today, @WHO announces new, easy-to-say labels for #SARSCoV2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) & Interest (VOIs). They will not replace existing scientific names, but are aimed to help in public discussion of VOI/VOC,” WHO’s technical COVID-19 lead, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove tweeted.
WHO expert group recommended labelling using Greek alphabet letters, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, which are easier and more practical for non-scientific audiences, WHO said via a statement.
“The established nomenclature systems for naming and tracking SARS-CoV-2 genetic lineages by GISAID, Nextstrain and Pango are currently and will remain in use by scientists and in scientific research,” the statement added.
According to the statement, WHO and its international networks of experts are monitoring changes to the virus.
“If significant mutations are identified, we can inform countries and the public about any changes needed to react to the variant, and prevent its spread,” it added.
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