Covid Threat: New variant detected; stay vigilant, says WHO chief

New Delhi/ Gandhinagar: Fifty new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Friday in India. There is a marginal increase in cases from 1,441 to 1,436, according to the data of the Union Health Ministry.

New variant EG.5.1

Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, who was in Gandhinagar for the G20 health ministers meeting, said, “Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency for the world. But it is still a global health threat.” The prestigious meeting of global healthcare professionals was inaugurated on Friday.

A new variant of coronavirus, called EG.5.1, has been detected in China, USA and Canada. It was also found in samples in the United Kingdom and France. Of the 897 samples tested in India on May 1, the variant was found in one person from Pune, Maharashtra. So far, no other cases of the variant have been reported.

Symptoms of the new variant

Covid-19’s new variant also causes fever, cough and cold along with soreness in the body and irritation in the eyes. So far, the cases are mild. The behaviour of this new variant is currently under study.

BA.2.86

The present variant under careful examination continues to be BA.2.86. A surge in Covid cases in Europe, the United Kingdom and the USA is due to this variant.

WHO: BA.2.86 (BA.X) designated as a Variant under Monitoring or VUM.

"Only 3* sequences available. Added as VUM based on the large number of mutations identified"

* It's now 4 sequences.... pic.twitter.com/9tJQ5hk8cC

— CoronaHeadsUp (@CoronaHeadsUp) August 17, 2023

“There is a need for all countries to maintain surveillance,” said Dr Tedros. WHO has now designated BA.2.86 as a variant under monitoring or VUM. There are four sequences available and the scope of VUM has been increased due to a large number of mutations.

WHO director-general urged all the countries to speed up the process of finalising the ‘Pandemic Accord’ so that it can be adopted in the World Health Assembly, scheduled to be held next year.

“Covid-19 has taught us all an important lesson that when health is at risk everything is at risk. The world is learning the painful lessons of the pandemic,” said Dr Ghebreyesus, in his address to the G20 member countries.

The WHO head said that negotiations on the Pandemic Accord and amendments to the international health regulations are making good progress. He said both are essential for creating the legal and operational framework for inclusive, coherent and equitable global health security architecture.

“I seek your commitment to negotiating a comprehensive Pandemic Accord that encompasses all the essence of the pandemic so that we never repeat the same mistakes again. Time is of the essence here. The accord is scheduled to be considered by the World Health Assembly next year,” he said.

Total Covid cases in India

India’s total Covid-19 cases are 4.49 crore and the number of people who have recuperated is 4.44 crores. The national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent and the case fatality rate is 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry’s website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far in the country.