A potentially lethal new coronavirus strain has been detected in South Africa and is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation.
The B.1.1.529 variant contains multiple mutations associated with increased antibody resistance, which may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, along with mutations that generally make it more contagious.
The variant has been detected in small numbers in South Africa but is said to be spreading rapidly in the province of Gauteng which is home to major Sth African cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The new strain has also been detected in Botswana and Hong Kong.
Researchers are now coming together to try and determine if the new strain is merely a variant of interest or a variant of concern.
A number of mutations have been detected in the B.1.1.529 variant which have not previously been seen, so researchers will need to examine them to determine how they may affect transmissibility and vaccine resistance.
But early indications suggest the new strain could be twice as infectious as the Delta strain which is presently causing fresh covid outbreaks across Europe.
The WHO will be meeting today to discuss what the new variant may mean for vaccines and treatments.
The UK has also taken immediate steps, banning flights from six African countries, including South Africa, starting today.
Source – Reuters