WHO analyzes new MU variant of coronavirus originating in Colombia

The World Health Organization (WHO) is analyzing a new variant of the coronavirus, called Mu, which was first identified in Colombia in January 2021 and whose cases have already been reported in countries in South America and Europe.

The variant Mu, as detailed by the United Nations body, it possesses a constellation of mutations which indicate potential properties of immune evasion.

Indeed, the preliminary data presented to the Working Group on the Evolution of the Virus show a reduction in the neutralization capacity of vaccines and vaccines, similar to that seen in the beta variant, although the WHO advises that this needs to be confirmed by further studies.

Additionally, and although the global prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has declined and is currently below 0.1 percent, the WHO has warned that the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13% ) had systematically increased.

“The reported prevalence should be interpreted taking into account the sequencing capacity and the speed with which the sequences are shared, which vary from country to country. Further studies are needed to understand the phenotypic and clinical characteristics. of this variant. “, they detailed from the agency.

The covid variants classified by the WHO are divided into variants of interest (VOI) or variants of concern (VOC). Some worrying variants include Alpha, first registered in the UK and present in 193 countries; the Beta in South Africa and today in 141 countries; Gamma, from Brazil and in 91; and the Delta, originating from India in 170 countries.

On the other hand, the variants of interest so far were four in number: Eta, Iota, Kappa and Lambda. This week, WHO adds to Mu.

The interesting variants are the strains which incorporate genetic changes that could affect the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of the disease, the immune leak, the diagnosis or its therapeutic escape.

In addition to these genetic changes, to be a variant of interest, the new strain must produce significant transmission both in a community and in several countries, with increasing prevalence or increasing number of cases over time, or other epidemiological impacts suggesting an emerging risk for global public health. This is the case with Mu.

To be considered a disturbing variant, La Vanguardia reports, there would have to be some evidence that the mutations the new one possesses really goes from speculation to obvious.

Mu would be interesting to disturbing variant by the time he increased his transmission, influencing the epidemiology of covid worldwide. Also, if it increases its virulence and worsens the disease, or resists public health measures, vaccines or available treatments. For this reason, the epidemiology of each variant of interest is closely studied.

Specifically, in countries with the highest prevalence of Mu such as Colombia, it will be followed closely with Delta, a worrying variant. For the moment, the WHO has not yet pronounced on the C.1.2 variant identified in South Africa.

With information from DPA.