A new variant of coronavirus first spotted in Colombia earlier this year and known as "Mu" is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO).First identified in January, Mu is scientifically known as B.1.621 and has received the "variant of interest" classification by WHO, meaning the mutant has genetic markers that reduce the efficacy of vaccine-induced antibodies and could be more transmissible.?
Currently, the WHO is undertaking more assessment of the variant to ascertain how it works and whether it warrants reclassification as "variant of concern".The WHO bulletin on Tuesday claimed that the Mu variant is currently showing a "constellation of mutations" that may allow it to escape immune protection against previous variants offered by variants or infection.?
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The highly infectious Delta variant is currently causing local spikes across the world, especially in the United States. The same mutation was responsible for India's devastating second wave of coronavirus infections.?
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New variants are especially dangerous for those who are still unvaccinated - mostly in the developing world where vaccine unavailability continues to remain a major deterrent.?
At the same time, Western countries have been accused of hoarding vaccine doses which they can easily distribute among nations with dismal vaccination rates and where COVAX, the global vaccination programme, isn't working as expected.?
Virus mutations are normal and suggest that the virus is learning to adapt with changes presented to it - including vaccines.?
Most mutations do not change the properties of the original virus, but it's entirely possible. In such cases, all progress made in terms of immunity and prevention would be lost and the process would have to start from scratch.
Mutations have the capability to affect the transmissibility of a virus, its severity, the resistance it shows against vaccines, etc.?
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Currently, the WHO is monitoring five variants of coronavirus including the Alpha variant which has infected 193 countries as well as the Delta variant which has affected 170 countries.?
The Mu Covid variant is on this monitoring list as well. Since being spotted in Colombia, the Mu variant has been reported in South America and Europe.?The WHO says its global occurrence has dropped to 0.1 per cent among cases. But it's responsible for 39 per cent infections in Colombia.?
Are you worried about the onslaught of dangerous variants? Vaccination is still your best bet against ALL variants. To keep infection at bay, practice hand hygiene and wear masks. And to keep yourself updated, continue reading Indiatimes.com.