This SARS-CoV-2 strain carries the N501Y mutation.
As the world gains resources to fight the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, scientists have detected a relatively new strain called the IHU variant, or B.1.640.2, it was first spotted in southern France last month, but is now starting to gain the attention of global experts. Detected by researchers from the Mediterranean Infection University Hospital Institute (IHU) based in Marseille, the variant has 46 mutations. This raises concerns that the IHU could be more resistant to existing vaccines. However, experts said it was too early to say anything for sure about its behavior.
Where was the IHU detected?
At least 12 people have been found infected with IHU in the Marseille region and reports say some of them have been hospitalized with the disease. The cases have been linked to travel to the African country, Cameroon.
The researchers said the first case was detected in an adult in a small town in south-eastern France. He was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 in an RT-PCR test performed in a private medical biology laboratory. The person had developed mild respiratory symptoms the day before the diagnosis. Subsequently, respiratory samples taken from seven other COVID-19 positive patients from the same region showed the same combination of mutations.
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How is the research going?
Researchers at IHU first spotted the variant on December 10 and have been studying it ever since, trying to predict and understand its behavior. So far, 46 mutations have been found in it. Their tests showed that this strain of SARS-CoV-2 carries the N501Y mutation, first seen on the Alpha variant, which experts say may make it more transmissible. The researchers found that it also carries the E484K mutation, which could mean the variant will be more resistant to vaccines.
Researchers published an article online on December 29. The study has not yet been peer reviewed. However, said the IHU had 46 mutations and 37 deletions. The researchers said the data they collected is "another example of the unpredictability of the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and of their introduction into a given geographic area from abroad."
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What does the WHO say?
Since the variant has not yet been detected in other countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet classified it as a variant under research.
How do experts see the new variant?
Experts recommend caution until more is known about this variant or earlier variants such as Omicron. They say new variants continue to emerge during a pandemic, but not all of them are necessarily virulent or cause serious illness. Therefore, it is advisable to wait for more information and not to jump to conclusions.
“Dozens of new variants are being discovered all the time, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be more dangerous. What makes a variant more known and dangerous is its ability to multiply due to the number of mutations it has compared to the original virus, ”said epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding.
6) There are scores of new variants discovered all the time, but it does not necessarily mean they will be more dangerous. What makes a variant more well-known and dangerous is its ability to multiply because of the number of mutations it has in relation to the original virus.
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 3, 2022
Mr Feigl-Ding said he was not yet concerned about the IHU. "I doubt it will win over Omicron [5-6x faster than Delta] or Delta [which is 2x faster than original]".
11) Another source says the rise in ICUs and deaths in Southeast France 🇫🇷 are still due to Delta - possible. I’m not that worried about #B16402 yet—i doubt it will win over Omicron (5-6x faster than Delta) or Delta (which is 2x faster than original). https://t.co/jJeaLsf1ZU
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 3, 2022
This development has came at a time when the world is grappling with a rapid increase in cases of COVID-19 caused by Omicron, which was first detected in South Africa in November. Since then, it has spread to over 100 countries, including India. Currently, active cases stand at 37,379 in the country in the past 24 hours.
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