Mu variant of COVID-19 ‘definitely’ here, says top infectious disease physician in Nebraska Medicine

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A new variant of COVID-19 is making its way across the United States, but Nebraska is the only state to have reported a case of the mu variant.

“Without a doubt, we have this variant in Nebraska, although it has not been formally defined,” said Dr. Mark Rupp of Nebraska Medicine.

The mu variant was first identified in Colombia, and at this point it is not clear how much of a threat the variant can become.

“It really hasn’t been shown whether this particular variant has the ability to spread more easily from person to person,” said Dr Rupp. “Or, if the strain causes more serious disease or escapes our immunological protections.”

In order to track the potential threat of the variant, Dr Rupp says COVID-19 testing is essential.

“Obviously, we’ve put less emphasis on testing in the state. We dismantled the main organization that tested people statewide, ”said Dr Rupp, referring to the shutdown of Test Nebraska sites, which offered free and easily accessible tests statewide. “It clearly hinders our ability to know what’s going on statewide.”

More testing means more possibilities to sequence samples and identify variants of COVID-19 – and the type of test matters, Dr Rupp said.

“A lot of the testing being done right now is through rapid tests where we can’t get our hands on the information or be able to get the specific virus strain. “

And while the mu variant is on the radar, experts say the delta remains the biggest threat, accounting for the vast majority of COVID cases.

“It’s clearly not as successful as the delta variant was. With delta everywhere it was introduced, it really took off and became the predominant strain,” Dr Rupp said, calling on people to be careful. get vaccinated and stay alert.

“We have to insist that people do the right thing,” he said. “If you have symptoms, get tested. If you’ve had exposure, get tested.

6 News asked the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services if it tests the mu variant as frequently as others and was told state labs are constantly monitoring all new COVID-19 variants , which are posted on its website in a list of totals that is updated on Wednesday.

The state reported no cases of the mu variant this week, and the Douglas County Health Department confirmed Thursday that no such cases have been reported locally.

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