The UK and Israel have suspended inbound flights to African countries such as South Africa due to the emergence of the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 in Africa.
According to CCTV, the South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases issued a statement on November 25 local time and revealed that a new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 has been detected in South Africa. Adrian Plun, acting director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in South Africa, revealed that while the data currently is limited, experts are working with all monitoring systems to understand the new variants and the potential impacts they may have.
South Africa's National Institute of Infectious Diseases warns that the number of new variants of infection and those who have tested positive is growing rapidly, especially in South Africa's Gauteng, Northwest and Limpopo.
On Thursday local time, South African scientist Turio Oliveira said at a press conference that 30 mutations of the spike protein have been detected, which are the part of the virus that binds to cells in the body.
Oliveira continued that the new variant strain contains multiple mutations related to the growth of antibody resistance, which may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, and this new variant strain is usually more contagious.
Prun pointed out that experts are worried that the new variant strain has a large number of mutations.
The World Health Organization is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Friday local time to discuss the new variant strains detected in South Africa.
Dr. Maria van Kerkhoff, head of the WHO's new crown epidemic, revealed: We don't know much about the new variant strain B.1.1.529, and what we know is that this new variant strain has a large number of mutations.
According to the World Health Organization, the virus called B.1.1.529 has been detected in a small amount in South Africa.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid revealed on Thursday that the UK Health Security Agency "is investigating a new variant. More data is needed, but we are taking precautions now."
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of technology at WHO Covid-19, revealed, "We know very little about it. What we know is that there are a large number of mutations in this variant. What is worrying is that when you have so many mutations, it may have an impact on the way the virus behaves."
South African scientist Tulio de Oliveira said at a news conference hosted by the South African Ministry of Health on Thursday that South African scientists have detected more than 30 mutations in the spike protein.
"We don't know much about this. What we know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. It is worrying that when there are so many mutations in such a lot of locations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves." Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO emergency affairs project, revealed in the WHO Q&A session. "Now, researchers around the world are gathering to understand where these mutations are at the spike protein and furin cleavage sites, and what this may mean for our diagnosis, treatment and vaccines," she revealed. She revealed that there are less than 100 genome-wide sequences for this new mutation.
Van Kerkhove revealed that the Viral Mutation Working Group will decide whether B.1.1.529 will become a variant worthy of widespread attention, and after these efforts the World Health Organization will assign a Greek name to the variant.
Israel also includes South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Svadini and Mozambique on the high-risk list. People from these places must obtain special permission from the health department before entering the country.
