Health authorities have detected a new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa. A new strain that, they fear, is more transmissible and reduces the effectiveness of the vaccines being inoculated.
Variant B.1.1.529 presents more than thirty mutations and some of them are, according to South African scientists, cause for concern about its possible impact on transmissibility and its potential ability to evade immunity or prior protection.
In total, so far, cases of this variant have been confirmed in South Africa, Hong Kong (in a traveler from the African nation) and neighboring Botswana, according to data provided by the South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has summoned its experts to analyze this new variant, which has not yet received a name. Its objective is to determine whether “it should be designated as a variant of interest or of concern.”
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO lead epidemiologist, has pointed out that this new variant is still not well known, as there are hardly “less than 100 complete genomic sequences available”, but it has warned that “it has a high number of mutations.”
“This variant has a high number of mutations and that can affect the behavior of the virus. Researchers are already working to identify where these mutations are and how they can influence our diagnoses, therapies and vaccines,” he pointed out in this regard. He has also made it clear that it will take a few weeks to know its impact “on potential vaccines.”
Likewise, Van Kerkhove has called on the population to be responsible against the virus because “each one has a role to play in reducing transmission, as well as in protecting against serious illness and death.” Thus, he has called for vaccination and has urged that “measures be taken to avoid transmitting” the illness.
Several countries shield themselves against this variant
The European Commission has proposed to paralyze air traffic from southern Africa to prevent the expansion in Europe of this new variant.
“The European Commission will propose, in close coordination with the member states, activate the emergency brake to stop air traffic from the southern African region for variant B.1.1.529 “, announced the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
For its part, the Czech Republic has banned travel from South Africa and Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia. A measure that will take effect this Saturday.
Italy has prohibited entry into the country to anyone who has passed through six African nations in the last 14 dayss as a preventive measure. The Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, has signed the order banning the entry of citizens who have passed through South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe. Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).
The first Austrian minister, Alexander Schallenberg, has announced the closing of borders from this midnight for travelers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. Only Austrian citizens and residents of the country will be able to enter Austria from those countries, although upon return they will have to remain in quarantine for ten days, in addition to undergoing a mandatory PCR test and registering with the authorities.
Germany is going to declare South Africa a risk zone for the new variant detected and as of tonight, it will only allow German citizens to enter the country from that region. In addition, all travelers entering the country from the area, including those vaccinated, they must keep 14 days of quarantine.
The first countries to announce restrictions in this regard were the United Kingdom and Israel, which announced measures this Thursday. The British Government reported that from this Friday flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswutini and Zimbabwe would be suspended. For its part, the Israeli Executive included South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the list of countries whose travelers are prohibited from entering.
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
