The World Well being Organisation is monitoring a brand new coronavirus variant often called “Mu”, which was first recognized in Colombia in January, the UN well being physique stated on Tuesday in its weekly pandemic bulletin.
WHO has labeled Mu as a “variant of curiosity,” saying it has mutations that point out a threat of resistance to vaccines.
“The Mu variant has a constellation of mutations that point out potential properties of immune escape,” the bulletin stated.
It careworn that additional research have been wanted to higher perceive it.
Whereas the worldwide prevalence of Mu is low, the brand new pressure is gaining floor in South America, WHO stated.
“Though the worldwide prevalence of the Mu variant amongst sequenced circumstances has declined and is at present under 0.1%, the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) has persistently elevated.”
There’s widespread concern over the emergence of latest virus mutations as an infection charges are hovering once more, fueled by the extremely contagious Delta variant.
All viruses, together with SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, mutate over time and most mutations have little or no impact on the properties of the virus.
However sure mutations can impression the properties of a virus and affect how simply it spreads, the severity of the illness it causes, and its resistance to vaccines, medication and different countermeasures.
The WHO at present identifies 4 coronavirus variants of concern, together with Alpha, which is current in 193 nations, and Delta, current in 170 nations.
5 variants, together with Mu, are to be monitored.
