In the latest epidemiological update, the World Health Organization (WHO) said a variant of Covid-19, which has also caused an increase in the number of cases in India, has been found in dozens of countries around the world.
The WHO says variant B.1.617 of Covid-19, first found in India in October, has been discovered in more than 4,500 specimens "from 44 countries in the six WHO regions". Outside India, the WHO said Britain has the highest number of Covid cases with this variant.
The WHO has declared B.1.617 as a "disturbing variant" adding it to a list that includes variants of Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom. WHO scientist Soumya Swaminathan said there was no data on the impact of the variant on the diagnosis, therapy or effectiveness of the vaccine. However, he added that this variant is "more transmissible".
In late April, scientists said it was worrying that detected UK cases were growing rapidly despite England still being under social distance restrictions.
India is facing a healthcare crisis due to increasing cases which may be partly due to variants. B.1.617 has raised the alarm because it contains two "escape" mutations that may help it bypass the body's immune responses.
Scientists in India drew attention to the existence of a new variant as it gained ground in Maharashtra between December 2020 and March this year. On March 24, the Ministry of Health in India reported that 15% -20% of the coronavirus studied in the region carried two unusual mutations: E484Q and L425R. The variant was known as B.1.617.
This new variant is thought to be the cause of a new wave of deaths from Covid infections in India.
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