What do we know about the mu variant of the coronavirus

Scientists are monitoring emerging variants of Covid-19 based on suspected genetic changes, then looking for evidence to determine if the new version is more infectious or causes more severe symptoms. Viruses are constantly evolving, and many new variants often tend to disappear.

So far, the mu variant does not appear to be spreading quickly: it accounts for less than 1% of Covid-19 cases internationally. In Colombia, it could be responsible for 39% of infections. Most countries remain concerned about the delta variant, which is highly contagious and is the dominant variant in almost all of the 174 countries where it has been detected.

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The authorities have been attentive to the mu variant in Europe, where it has been detected in around ten countries. The French Ministry of Health recently noted that the mu variant “does not appear to have increased recently” on the European continent.

Last month, a report from the Public Health Agency of England showed that the mu variant could be just as resistant to Covid-19 vaccines as the beta variant first detected in South Africa, but noted that more information is still needed.

WHO officials said the presence of the mu variant appears to be increasing in some countries in South America, but noted that the delta variant continues to spread much more easily.

The mu variant “interests us because of the combination of mutations it has,” said Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO. “But it doesn’t seem to be going around.”

The United States is “paying attention” but it is not seen as an immediate threat, said Dr Anthony Fauci, the leading US expert on infectious diseases.