Written By: Mr. Swapnil Bhowmick

Published On: 06 Jan, 2022 1:20 PM | Updated On: 21 Nov, 2024 4:40 PM

New Coronavirus Variant - IHU

New Coronavirus Variant - IHU

A new COVID-19 variation known as 'IHU' was found in France and contains more mutations than Omicron.

The B.1.640.2 strain has not been identified in other countries, nor has it been designated as a variety under research by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

French researchers discovered a novel strain of coronavirus with more mutations than the Omicron version. According to the study, the development of the novel variety, which most likely began in Cameroon, has both changes N501Y and E484K in the spike protein. At least 12 instances of the new type have been discovered near Marseilles, and travel to the African country Cameroon has been related to it. "These findings highlight the unpredictability of the formation of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their transfer into a specific geographical area from elsewhere," they noted.The B.1.640.2 strain has not been identified in other countries, nor has it been designated as a variety under research by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The genomes were retrieved using next-generation sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies on GridION devices, according to a report published on medRxiv."The spike protein has fourteen amino acid changes, including N501Y and E484K, and nine deletions." According to the study report, "this genotype pattern resulted in the creation of a new Pangolin lineage dubbed B.1.640.2, which is a phylogenetic sister group to the existing B.1.640 lineage renamed B.1.640.1."

Epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding stated in a lengthy Twitter discussion that new variations are always developing, but this does not necessarily imply that they will be more hazardous. "What makes a variety more well-known and deadly is its capacity to replicate in proportion to the original virus," he explained.