| SMS Alert Text:
WHO designates new COVID strain B.1.1.529 a “variant of concern” (poss incr transmissibility, severity of disease, or lower effectiveness of vax, treatments).
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Supplemental Info:
Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529):
SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern
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. 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. 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.
Read the full WHO announcement:
Related News:
- Within the last 24 hours, the EU and UK have moved to impose travel restrictions on a group of six southern African nations as a surge in cases of the heavily mutated coronavirus variant has caused alarm among global health officials.
The nations currently impacted are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini.
- The European Commission has recommended suspending air travel from southern Africa and "other countries affected" amid concerns over the variant.
- Germany, Italy, and France have already announced measures to restrict air travel from the region.
- The UK placed the six southern African countries back on its "Red List", requiring travelers from those nations to quarantine for 10 days at a government facility. Additional restrictions are under consideration.
- The White House is currently weighing similar bans / restrictions.
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