Nagpur: The researchers in France have detected a new Covid-19 variant, probably of Cameroonian origin and temporarily named it as ‘IHU.’
The new variant is believed to have infected 12 people in the country already, according to a study as per the French government. IHU Mediterranee infection in Marseille official Philippe Colson said the variant has 46 mutations and 37 deletions. “For twelve SARS-CoV-positive patients living in the same geographical area of southeastern France, qPCR testing that screen for variant-associated mutations showed an atypical combination.”
Colson further added that it is too early to speculate on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of the new IHU variant based on these 12 cases detected in the country. As per the study, the first cases reported was of a vaccinated adult who returned to France from a trip to Cameroon, in central Africa. On the third day, the adult developed mild respiratory symptoms and his nasopharyngeal sample was collected in mid-November 2021.
Colson said the study revealed an atypical combination that did not correspond to the pattern of the Delta variant. Samples collected from seven other Covid-19 positive patients living in the same geographical area exhibited the same combination of mutations.
