The new variant B1.1.529 has around 34 mutations and is a cause of worry for everyone. The Union Health Ministry has also issued an alert over this variant. This is assumed to spread very fast and some scientists are anticipating it to be more deadly than the delta strain.
Presently 10 cases have been reported around the world from South Africa, Bostwana and Hong Kong. The news strain would be name “Nu”. Showing is concern, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan , wrote a letter to the states and the unions territories . In the letter he mentioned that “This variant is reported to have a significantly higher number of mutations and thus has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel”
The letter has asked to rigorously screen all the passengers coming from the risk countries. It emphasised on screening the close contacts of all the travellers.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has insisted that all the stats and union territories should ensure that the samples of the travellers turning positive should be sent to INSACOG genome sequencing labs.
This is a cause of concern as the number of cases in Africa has increased tenfold since the beginning of this month.
