WHO monitors new Mu coronavirus variant of concern

Geneva, Sep 1 (EFE).- The World Health Organization on Wednesday said the new Mu variant of the coronavirus accounted for 39% of cases in Colombia and 13% in Ecuador.

Sequencing of the variant suggests its prevalence on a global level is in decline, representing just 0.1% of cases.

Detected in 39 countries so far, the WHO is monitoring it as a “variant of concern,” joining the ranks of the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants of the virus.

“The epidemiology of the Mu variant in South America, particularly with the co-circulation of the Delta variant, will be monitored for changes,” the WHO said in its weekly bulletin.

The Delta variant of the coronavirus is of particular concern due its ability to spread rapidly and cause a more severe Covid-19 disease. EFE

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