Covid B.1.1.529 variant with ‘high number of mutations’ raises alarm, Centre sounds alert

New Delhi: A new variant of Covid-19 namely B.1.1.529, emanating from South Africa, has send alarm bells ringing for the global fraternity. The new variant, having potential to undergo more than 30 spike mutations, was reported from Southern Africa and since has been a big concern for all countries across the globe.

The variant was first spotted in Botswana and those circulating countries include Hong Kong and South Africa. According to The Guardian, only 10 cases have been confirmed by genomic sequencing.

The B.1.1.529 variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein.

Just spotted: very small cluster of variant associated with Southern Africa with very long branch length and really awful Spike mutation profile including RBD – K417N, N440K, G446S, S477N, T478K, E484A, Q493K, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, Y505Hhttps://t.co/kgA9c1hKDa

— Tom Peacock (@PeacockFlu) November 23, 2021

Centre sounds alert over new variant

The Union Health Ministry has issued an alert for the B.1.1.529 variant of Covid-19. Detected in South Africa, the variant is characterised by a “very unusual constellation” of mutations.

Alerting the states about lurking threat of deadly virus, the Union Health Secretary today wrote a letter to all states and UTs, saying “This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel.”

In his letter to all states and UTs, the Union Health Secretary writes that all international travellers entering India from “at-risk” countries must be subjected to rigorous screening and testing.