Filenews 1 September 2021
A new mutation of the coronavirus, called "Mu", is put under the microscope by the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported by the British news agency "PA Media", according to the newspaper "Guardian".
The new mutation of the virus, also known as "B.1.621", was first detected in Colombia and so far cases have been recorded in South America and Europe.
The weekly newsletter of the international organization on the pandemic characteristically states that, the new variant has mutations that suggest that it could be more resistant to vaccines against Covid-19, as was the case with the mutation "Beta", however, stressed that more studies will be needed.
"Since the first case was recorded in Colombia in January 2021, there have been a few cases of the 'Mu' mutation and some larger outbreaks in other countries in South America and Europe.
"Although the global prevalence of the Mu mutation among cases is below 0.1%, the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) is steadily increasing," the British newspaper Guardian reported, referring to World Health Organization (WHO) data.
"The epidemiology of the 'Mu' mutation in South America, especially with the coexistence of the Delta mutation, will be monitored for any variations," he adds.
So far, there have been four mutations of the coronavirus that are of concern, according to the World Health Organization: the "Alpha" mutation, first detected in Kent, Britain and appeared in 193 countries, the "Beta" mutation that has been recorded in a total of 141 countries, the "Gamma" mutation in 91 countries and the "Delta" mutation in 170 countries.
The "Mu" mutation is the fifth in a row to which the international organisation is turning its attention, as the British publication points out.
