The first cases of new Covid-19 variant ‘Mu’ in the Ireland have been detected last month. The variant which was first reported in Colombia in January 2021 is considered to be a ‘variant of interest’ by the World Health Organization. The scientists are monitoring this variant amid fears of rapid transmission and more vaccine resistant.
Mu is officially known as B.1.621. Apart from Colombia, it has been reported in other South American countries and in Europe. The variant is not very prevalent when compared to former variants like Alpha and Delta, and now stands at just 0.1% of cases globally. But in Colombia, it accounts for 39% of the cases.
In UK, 48 cases were identified until August 25.
Mu becomes a concern because it is believed to have gone through different mutations and it may be capable of high transmission and may resist the current vaccines available in the world. Though confirmed scientific results about mutations are not available yet. Also, no evidence suggests that Mu causes more severe disease.
According to scientists, any virus is capable of mutations and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have already gone through a lot. But very few of them show a change in behavior like gaining more transmissible power. At the moment, Mu is just a mutated Corona virus and nothing to be more afraid of. Anyway, the Mu variant has a mixture of mutations seen in the Alpha and Beta variants and some unclear variations, hence the need for further sequencing and analysis to gain a better understanding about it. So, it is better to take precautions as always and wait for the final result.
Source: The Journal, AFP.