WHO says UK variant of COVID-19 has spread to 50 nations, South Africa's in 20

World Health Organization (WHO) has said that vel coronavirus mutation first discovered in UK has w spre to at least 50 countries. While South African variant has w spre to at least 20 territories. Furr, as some nations have even begun COVID-19 vaccination drives, United Nations (UN) health ncy ted that a third new coronavirus "variant of concern", that is found in Japan, might also affect immune response and requires more research on its behaviour. WHO said that more SARS-CoV-2 spres across world, more it will change. SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes COVID-19.
 

" more SARS-CoV-2 virus spres, more opportunities it has to change. High levels of transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge," said WHO.

In a statement on January 13, following day-long meet with 1,750 experts from 124 countries to exchange information on COVID-19 pandemic, UN ncy ted that it is rmal for viruses to mutate. However, of all significant variants reported by several nations till w, only some are associated with increases in transmissibility but t disease severity. WHO said that research is currently underway to determine if virus mutations have an impact on public health tools and measures.

“So far an astounding 350 000 sequences have been publicly shared, but most come from just a handful of countries. Improving geographic cover of sequencing is critical for world to have eyes and ears on changes to virus,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Le on COVID-19.

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'Escape mutant' could decrease vaccine efficacy

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have w identified ‘escape mutant’ that might have ability to decrease efficiency of vaccines. mutation named E484K has been reportedly found in variant of vel coronavirus that was first spotted in South Africa nearly two months ago but has w spre to at least 12 more countries. As per CNN report, Penny Moore, associate professor at National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa called mutation ‘alarming’.

"We fear this mutation might have an impact, and what we don't kw is extent of impact," she said.

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