WHO: The spread of the new coronavirus variant B.1.640 is small and vigilance is still needed

Geneva, January 6 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the World Health Organization said on the 6th that the spread of the mutated new coronavirus B.1.640 strain is small, and the reason why it was previously defined as "the mutant strain that is being monitored" is to arouse vigilance and strengthen monitoring.

French researchers recently found 12 people infected with the strain in the southern French port city of Marseille. A non-peer-reviewed study showed that the strain carried 46 mutations, more than the Ones that spread across multiple countries.

Maria van Kelkhofer, technical leader of the WHO health emergency project, said at a press conference on the 6th that the B.1.640 strain was detected in many countries as early as last September, and recently French researchers published a preprint of the relevant study. After discussions within WHO, the group's experts listed it as a "mutant strain under surveillance" last November.

According to who's definition, the so-called "mutant strain under surveillance" refers to certain genetic changes in the new crown virus that may affect the characteristics of the virus and there are indications that they may pose future risks, but the evidence of its phenotypic or epidemiological effects is not currently known, and surveillance and repeated assessment need to be strengthened before new evidence becomes available.

Van Kelkerhofer explained that the B.1.640 strain does have a large number of mutations, but its range of transmission is still small, accounting for less than 1% of the samples sequenced in France. The list of it as a "mutant strain under surveillance" is intended to raise awareness and alarm. She also stressed that the current COVID-19 vaccine is effective against all the mutated viruses that are spreading.

Catherine O'Brien, WHO's director of immunization, vaccines and biologics, also said that for now, the B.1.640 strain may not be a variant with a higher transmission rate. The existing COVID-19 vaccine is still effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death, which is the key to vaccination.

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