WHO worried as a new COVID-19 variant in Africa becomes stronger than ever

The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the new form of coronavirus found in South Africa, B.1.1.529 and will hold a 'special meeting' on it on Friday.

The meeting will discuss if the World Health Organization needs to start a global alarm once again for the worsening situation. The officials said that according to the information received so far; this virus has advanced due to the most changes. It was first identified this week in South Africa and has already spread to several neighbouring countries, including Botswana.

After this new variant emerged, scientists have warned that the number of new variants of the virus may increase, which may be more resistant to the vaccine, and their rate of spread may be higher. This can lead to an increase in cases with severe symptoms of Covid-19.

Maria Van Kerkhove, who is leading the WHO's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Covid-19 Technical Group, said on Thursday, "Less than 100 variants of genome sequencing are available. We don't know about it yet. We do understand that this form has undergone more genetic changes. And when it takes many forms, there is a concern about how it will affect the behaviour of the Covid-19 virus.

She said that researchers are trying to understand together what these changes and spike proteins are called and what can be their detection method, treatment and vaccine. Kerkhove noted the WHO's technical advisory group on the evolution of the virus is in discussion with its South African colleagues.

"We are meeting again tomorrow. We are calling a special meeting to discuss this, not to give a warning but because we have this system. We will bring these scientists together and discuss what it means and also what can be the time frame to find a solution for them.

Kerkhove said the WHO's technical advisory group on the evolution of the virus is in discussion with its South African colleagues. "We are meeting again tomorrow. We are calling a special meeting to discuss this, not to give a warning but because we have this system. We will bring these scientists together and discuss what it means and also what can be the time frame to find a solution for them.