New COVID variant found in France not yet a threat: WHO.
Highlight
- New COVID version named B.1.640 “not being widely circulated at this time”: WHO
- The strain is also known as the ‘IHU’ variant
- After internal discussions, the WHO classified it as a “Version Under Monitoring” in November 2021.
The new COVID-19 variant called B.1.640, which was discovered by French researchers and is likely of Cameroonian origin, is “not widely circulating at this time” and has been identified in less than 1 percent of the samples sequenced so far Is. France, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The strain is also known as the ‘IHU’ variant as it was first identified by academics at the IHU Mediterranean Infection Institute in Marseille, France, reports Xinhua news agency.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Maria van Kerkhove, the technical head of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said the variant was first detected in several countries in September 2021.
After internal discussions, the WHO classified it as a “Version Under Monitoring” (VUM) in November 2021.
According to the WHO definition, VUM is the SARS-CoV-2 variant with genetic alterations that are suspected to affect the characteristics of the virus, which may pose a risk in the future, but with phenotypic or epidemiological evidence of impact. currently unclear, thus requiring increased monitoring and repeat. New evidence pending evaluation.
Van Kerkhove explained that since the B.1.640 variant has multiple mutations, the WHO classified it as VUM to raise public awareness.
He reiterated that current COVID-19 vaccines work against all types that are spreading and are highly effective in preventing serious diseases and deaths.
“I think it’s really important for the public to know, when it’s your turn, to get vaccinated because it’s really important,” she said.
Catherine O’Brien, director of the WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, said B.1.640 is not the type that is increasing in prevalence, but it is a small fraction of strains that are spreading.
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