Variant of Covid-19 in South Africa found in four African countries

Botswana, Zambia, The Gambia and Kenya have detected a variant of the Covid-19 virus that was first identified in South Africa last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti attributed the spread to the movement of people across the continent.

“It is also possible that the new strain is circulating in different African countries but has not been identified. We are currently working with scientists from different laboratories with the capacity to determine the full DNA of the virus to strengthen their surveillance, ”Dr Moeti told reporters at a virtual press conference.

Kenya’s director-general of health Patrick Amoth told the BBC that the variant was found on two South African passengers who traveled to Kenya a month ago.

“Through routine testing on anyone entering the country, we were able to detect the new strain from samples taken. The two men are already back in South Africa, ”said Dr Amoth.

South Africa is the country most affected by the pandemic on the continent.

A team of researchers from three South African universities working with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases found that the vaccines currently in use may not be effective against this new strain.