New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday designated the new variant found in South Africa as a “type of concern” after an expert panel meeting. The new version was first reported by South Africa on Thursday, and soon countries began imposing travel restrictions and taking cautious action. However, on Friday a few more countries, including Hong Kong, Botswana, Belgium and Israel, reported tensions.
The new version, scientifically called B.1.1.529, is also given the Greek letter omicron by the panel. Omicron has become a major concern for countries as it is highly mutated which can make it highly permeable. There is no data yet to prove whether this affects the efficacy of the vaccine.
The Technical Advisory Group on the Development of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus met today to review what is known about it #COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.1.529.
He advised the WHO that it should be designated a variant of the concern.
According to the naming protocol, WHO has named it Omicron. https://t.co/bSbVas9yds pic.twitter.com/Gev1zIt1Ek— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 26, 2021
“This type of infection has been detected at faster rates than in previous surges, suggesting that this variant may have a development advantage,” the WHO said in South Africa on Friday.
Soon after the new strain was discovered, countries began to restore travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine rules. These countries included the UK, US, Italy and Israel.
Information about the new tension comes in the backdrop of India’s decision to resume international travel from December 15. It is also to be noted that the previously detected delta variant, which was declared as the “Version of Worry”, caused the second wave of COVID. -19 cases in India that shook an already struggling country.
Omicron is the fifth “anxiety type” labeled by the WHO. A “concern type” is considered to be of high risk to public health and is therefore a concern. On the other hand, the “interest type” is the one that needs to be closely monitored.
WHO is expecting more data on Omicron to determine whether it affects vaccine efficacy.
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