Coronavirus

New COVID-19 Variant With ‘Unusual’ Mutations Detected In These Countries

By
OB Bureau

Johannesburg: A new COVID-19 variant with ‘unusual’ mutations has been detected, forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to sit up and take note.

The new variant, called B.1.1529, has been circulating in South Africa and Botswana. According to a statement in the Science Media Centre, B.1.1529 variant carries an unusually large number of mutations.

Francois Balloux, director of UCL Genetics Institute, said it’s likely to have evolved during a chronic infection of an immuno-compromised person, possibly in an untreated HIV/AIDS patient.

“It is difficult to predict how transmissible it may be at this stage. For the time being, it should be closely monitored and analysed, but there is no reason to get overly concerned, unless it starts going up in frequency in the near future,” Balloux said.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials met on Thursday to discuss the new variant.

B.1.1529 variant has been found in 22 cases in South Africa, the country’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) stated.

“It is not surprising that a new variant has been detected in South Africa. Although the data are limited, our experts are working overtime with all the established surveillance systems to understand the new variant and what the potential implications could be. Developments are occurring at a rapid pace and the public has our assurance that we will keep them up to date,” NICD Acting Executive Director Adrian Puren said.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will meet South African health officials next week to discuss the new variant.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Rs 7.3 Lakh Looted From GSK Employee In Broad Daylight In Odisha’s Balangir

Balangir: In a daring act, unidentified miscreants allegedly looted Rs 7.3 lakh cash from a…

November 8, 2024

Don’t Give Into Blackmailing, Immediately Report To Police: Cuttack DCP

Cuttack: Following the alleged gangrape of a college girl, Cuttack DCP Jagmohan Meena on Friday…

November 8, 2024

Elon Musk’s Estranged Daughter Wants To Leave US; Here’s Why?

New Delhi: Vivian Jenna Wilson, the transgender daughter of Elon Musk, says she is leaving…

November 8, 2024

Fact Check: ‘Secret Memo’ Links Indian Diplomats With Violent Crimes In West?

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday stated that a ‘secret memo’ that…

November 8, 2024

Law Minister Assures ‘Crime-Free Odisha For Women’ By 2036 Amid Outrage Over Cuttack Gangrape

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Amid statewide outrage over alleged gang-rape of a girl college student in Odisha's Cuttack…

November 8, 2024

CID To Investigate Case Of ‘Missing Samosas’ Meant For Himachal CM? Where Did They Vanish?

New Delhi: A controversy has erupted in Himachal Pradesh over samosas that went missing from…

November 8, 2024

IT Engineer Held For Raping Colleague On False Promise Of Marriage In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: An IT engineer was arrested by the Commissionerate Police on Friday on charges of…

November 8, 2024

In-Charge Medical Officer & Pharmacist Caught Taking Rs 40K Bribe From Nursing Officer In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Friday apprehended medical officer in-charge of Boipariguda Community Health…

November 8, 2024