PAHO estimates that omicron may circulate “soon” in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimated that the new variant of the coronavirus ómicron may be “soon” circulating in the Americas, after identifying only imported cases in three countries of the continent.

Brazil, Canada and the United States have already reported cases in recent days, all from people from Africa.

“It is likely that other countries will soon begin to see this new variant in circulation,” Carissa Etienne, PAHO director, said at a press conference.

“That is why it is important that countries redouble their surveillance efforts, share sequences with the Genomic Surveillance Network of the Americas and report any case of omicron to the WHO,” he added.

“Speed ​​and transparency are especially crucial at this time,” he said.

Ómicron, first reported by South Africa on November 24, was declared a “variant of concern” on Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

PAHO said community transmission of omicron has not been demonstrated in the Americas, where delta remains the predominant variant.

Brazil is currently the only country in Latin America to report cases of the new strain. On Wednesday, it confirmed a third contagion in a traveler from Ethiopia, after the first two reported on Tuesday in people from South Africa who disembarked in Brazil on November 23.

The United States said Wednesday it detected its first confirmed case of the new variant in California, in a fully vaccinated person who returned from South Africa on November 22.

Canada announced its first omicron infections on Sunday in two people who had traveled to Nigeria. Since then, several cases have been identified in the country, particularly in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.

Experts are investigating whether omicron’s large number of mutations can make it more transmissible or resistant to vaccines, but studies to determine this will take several more days.

“You have to isolate the virus, cultivate it and expose it to sera from convalescent patients or vaccinated people. That normally takes two weeks to get the first results, ”explained Sylvain Aldighieri, PAHO Incident Manager.

Etienne urged the population not to panic, but insisted on the need to be vaccinated and reduce the risk of exposure to the virus by maintaining the use of masks, especially in closed public spaces, frequent hand washing and social distancing.

“Countries must maintain their public health measures to limit the transmission of the virus and adjust them according to the risks of local transmission,” he emphasized.

He also urged to expand the anti-COVID vaccination. “So far, only 54% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, so our region remains especially vulnerable,” he said.