A corona variant previously found mainly in Latin America is now under special observation by the World Health Organization (WHO). Due to its mutations, the virus version with the name Lambda could possibly be more contagious or be more poorly fought by the human immune system, reported the Geneva UN authority. However, reliable studies and firm findings on this are not yet available, it said.
The variant was first identified in Peru in August 2020. In that country, 81 percent of all Corona cases analyzed since April have been assigned to Lambda. In Argentina and Chile, the figure was about one-third in recent months. It is also now clustered in Peru and Ecuador.
Corona variants are divided into two categories by the WHO: Variants under surveillance (“variants of interest”), which lead to clustered cases or occur in several countries. This includes lambda. One level higher are the variants of concern. They are demonstrably more contagious, more difficult to control or lead to more severe diseases. These include the alpha, beta and gamma mutants, as well as the delta variant, because of which the planned Corona opening in the UK is being postponed.
According to WHO, the virus is expected to continue to evolve as long as the virus circulates. Reducing transmission through established disease control methods are critical measures to reduce the occurrence of mutations.
— source: heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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