«This is the N5O1Y variant that is actually being monitored by the working group on virus evolution,” the head of WHO emerging diseases unit, Maria Van, pointed out.
She specified that there are no elements that show that the strain recently identified in the UK behaves differently from others.
«What they are looking for is to determine if there is a change in the development of neutralizing antibodies. That will be tested for all identified variants. […] We will inform and update any change,» Van underscored.
She said that the new British strain would be related to those recently detected in mink farms in several countries.
The spread of this new variant –WHO warned- is increasing faster that the previously existing one, with more than 1,000 cases already detected.
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