They begin to take measures for the new variant of covid-19 in South Africa 2:37
(CNN) -
A new variant of the coronavirus has unleashed travel bans and rocked markets.
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla reported that scientists from the country's Genomic Surveillance Network discovered a new variant of covid-19, called B.1.1.529.
Minute by minute: new variant of coronavirus leads to travel bans and shakes markets
There is concern that the mutation could lead to immune evasion and increased transmissibility.
For its part, the WHO said it will take "a few weeks" to study a new variant of covid-19 from South Africa and warns of caution
As of November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 4 worrisome variants of the virus.
In addition, there are two variants of current interest and 6 variants under surveillance.
A new variant of coronavirus worries 0:43
The South African variant is currently named B.1.1.529.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a "variant under surveillance".
The WHO has not yet included it in its list of variants of interest or concern.
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Several countries shield themselves against the new variant of covid-19 discovered in South Africa
Worrisome variants of the new coronavirus
Alpha
Originally known as B.1.1.7, it was first identified in September 2020, in the county of Kent, UK.
This variant is highly transmissible and has already been detected in more than 80 countries.
Read more here:
Record covid-19 hospitalizations of minors aren't the only reason they should be protected from the delta variant, doctors say
Why are scientists concerned about the new variant of covid-19 called c.1.2?
Beta
First seen in South Africa, this variant has the E484K mutation, which is linked to immune escape, and the N501Y mutation, which is suspected to help other variants be more contagious.
It has been shown to be 50% more transmissible and evades Lilly's dual monoclonal antibody treatment, but not others.
Blood tests and real-life use suggest that it can infect people who have recovered from COVID-19 and also people who have been vaccinated against the disease.
How does the delta variant affect children?
1:42
WHO has a new labeling system for coronavirus variants
Gamma
Initially named P.1, it was first seen in Brazil, it also has the E484K and N501Y mutations, with more than 30 more.
It has been shown to bypass the effects of Lilly's monoclonal antibody treatment, but not one manufactured by Regeneron.
Blood tests show that it could escape both natural and vaccine-induced immune responses.
Dr. Huerta explains the risks of the gamma variant of covid-19: "It can circumvent antibodies"
Delta
The delta variant, originally known as B.1.617.2, has been around since late last year, but in recent months it has quickly become dominant in many countries.
It accounts for more than 80% of newly diagnosed cases in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Record covid-19 hospitalizations of minors aren't the only reason they should be protected from the delta variant, doctors say
Children and the delta variant of the new coronavirus, how does it affect them?
The delta variant is more transmissible, although it is not really clear how much more.
Estimates range from 60% more to more than 200%, depending on who calculates them.
A CDC document indicates that the delta variant is as transmissible as chickenpox: each infected person infects up to eight or nine, on average.
The original variant of coronavirus, the CDC noted, was as contagious as the common cold, with each infected person infecting two others.
What's different about the delta variant?
This is what is known
Some of the interesting variants of coronavirus:
Mu
The variant was first identified in Colombia in January and its presence in 39 countries has since been reported, according to the report.
Although the global prevalence of the mu variant has decreased and is currently below 0.1%, its prevalence in Colombia has increased to 39% and in Ecuador to 13%.
Dr. Huerta analyzes the possibility of a more dangerous variant 3:27
Lambda
This variant of coronavirus was first identified in Peru in December.
2020. June 14, 2021 was designated as a variant of interest.
The variant is not as worrisome as the delta variant in the US, which has driven an increase in cases across the country, but early studies suggest it has mutations that make it more transmissible than the original variant of the coronavirus.
"Lambda has mutations that are of concern, but this variant is still quite rare in the US despite being present for several months," Dr. Preeti Malani, director of health for the division of infectious diseases, wrote in an email. from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
With information from Alejandra Oraa, from CNN en Español; Dr. Elmer Huerta, from CNN en Español; Maggie Fox, CNN; Jacqueline Howard, CNN; Ivana Kottasová, CNN; Sheena McKenzie, CNN; Armand Azad, CNN and Juan Pablo Elverdín, CNN in Spanish.
coronavirus Covid-19 Coronavirus variants
