The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the new Covid-19 variant – B.1.1.529 as a “variant of concern.”
The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution advised WHO that it should be designated a ‘Variant of Concern’, WHO said. WHO has named it “Omicron” in line with naming protocols.
According to WHO, the B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021,
The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant, WHO said.
According to WHO, the first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning, WHO said.
WHO said the Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
