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JOHANNESBURG— South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, and Israel have all detected the variation, which is now designated as B.1.1.529.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is holding a conference to address the situation.
Scientists believe they still have a lot to learn about the latest changes in the virus.
The WHO has stated that determining the impact of the new variety will take a few weeks as specialists seek to determine how transmissible it is.
A more memorable name for the variation, such as Delta or Beta, has yet to be assigned. On Friday, the WHO will identify it and say whether it is a variety of concern or merely a variant of curiosity.
It differs significantly from the other variations that have surfaced thus far. It is the most severely modified variant yet, according to scientists, which implies Covid vaccinations based on the original Wuhan strain may be less effective.
Belgium confirms the presence of a new, highly altered strain. Variant of Covid-19
According to one of Belgium’s renowned virologists, a case of the new, significantly mutated strain of the virus that causes Covid-19 has been verified.
A sample from a tourist who returned from Egypt on Nov. 11 was verified as the unique B.1.1.529 variety, according to Marc Van Ranst of the Rega Institute for Medical Research. On November 22, the patient began to experience symptoms.
Israel prohibits almost all travel to Africa and imposes quarantine regulations
Israel reacted quickly to the discovery of the newest variety within its borders by prohibiting practically all travel to and from Africa and assigning troops to accompany recent returnees into quarantine.
All nations except Northern Africa were labelled “red” for travel, preventing outsiders from entering and requiring returning Israelis to be quarantined in special hotels.
According to health experts, at least one individual who just returned from Malawi tested positive for this variety, and two more are suspected of being sick.
According to Ynet News, at least one of them had their booster injection less than two months ago.
Because Israel does not require fully vaccinated visitors to be quarantined upon their return, health experts have warned that the number of cases might rise.
More nations are imposing travel restrictions due to a new coronavirus strain
The European Union and the United Kingdom have tightened border restrictions as researchers try to figure out if a novel coronavirus type discovered in South Africa is vaccine-resistant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urged against hasty steps hours after the UK stopped flights from South Africa and neighbouring nations and required travellers returning from there to quarantine, while a South African expert labelled London’s decision a sign of “vaccine apartheid.”
Is it vaccine resistant or existing vaccines work against it?
The large number of mutations, as well as the fact that some of them have previously been linked to the potential to bypass existing immune protection, have scientists concerned.
However, these are only theories, and experiments are being carried out right now to see how successful antibodies are in neutralising the new variety. Real-world data on reinfection rates will also provide a clearer picture of the magnitude of any immunity shift.
Scientists do not expect the variation to be completely undetectable by existing antibodies; instead, they expect current immunizations to provide less protection.
As a result, increasing vaccination rates, including third doses for at-risk individuals, remains a critical goal.
