‘IHU’ variant of Covid-19: few cases, limited spread

What is the News?

Scientists in France have identified a new strain of coronavirus named IHU Variant.

What is the IHU Variant?

IHU is another variant of COVID-19 inducing coronavirus. The variant is a sub-lineage of the B.1.640. Hence, that’s why, it has been classified as B.1.640.2.

The variant was reported to have 46 mutations, which is more than Omicron. Many of these mutations affect the spike protein.

It has been named IHU in reference to the institute to which the researchers belong.

Where was the IHU Variant first detected?

The variant was found in a man from France who had returned from Cameroon in Africa (the continent where Omicron was also discovered.

How is the IHU Variant spreading?

Till now, only France has reported a dozen cases. No other country has detected any new cases of the new variant. That is why, WHO has not yet called this IHU variant a variant of interest, a variant of concern or even a variant under investigation.

What is B.1.640 variant? 

B.1.640 is a variant of Covid-19. It was first detected in January 2021.

The highest number of cases of the B.1.640 variant has been reported from France, followed by Congo, Germany and the United Kingdom.

WHO had designated this variant as a variant under monitoring (VUM) meaning that it has potential to pose a future risk, but more monitoring, evidence and studies are needed.

Source: This post is based on the article ‘‘IHU’ variant of Covid-19: few cases, limited spread’ published in Indian Express on 6^th Jan 2022.