New COVID-19 variant named IHU, more infectious than Omicron detected

Even as the world is grappling with an increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron form, scientists in France have discovered a new type. A report published on medRxiv disclosed the finding of the variation, designated B.1.640.2. 

The disease was confirmed in a person who had returned from the African country of Cameroon. The disease was also detected in others who were in contact with the person.

According to the report, the IHU has 46 genetic mutations from the first COVID variant to spread in Wuhan and is more lethal than Omicron in transmission. Health experts have the opinion that it can survive vaccines.

The strain, known as IHU, was discovered by scholars at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on December 10th. The virus has been detected in 12 patients near Marseille, France. The experts believe that new virus strain will be much more transmissible than the Omicron variant. This can also evade vaccines.

The B.1.640.2 has not been reported in any other country or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

This is all we know about the new COVID-19 variation thus far:

• According to researchers, it has 46 mutations, which makes it more resistant to immunizations and contagious than Omicron.
• So far, 12 cases have been discovered near Marseille, with the first being related to travel to Cameroon in Africa.
• Tests reveal that the strain carries the N501Y mutation, which was initially discovered in the Alpha version and is thought to make it more transmissible, according to specialists.
• It also has the E484K mutation, which could make the IHU variety more resistant to vaccinations, according to the researchers. It has yet to be discovered in other countries or designated by the World Health Organization as a variant under research.