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The World Health Organization has said that the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19, first found in India in October, has been found in dozens of countries all over the world. The UN health agency claimed that the Covid-19 variant behind the acceleration of India’s explosive outbreak, has been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries, uploaded to an open-access database.
In its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic, WHO said “It has received reports of detections from five additional countries.” Outside of India, Britain had reported the largest number of Covid cases caused by the variant, the health agency said.
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The statement has come after WHO classified the Covid-19 variant spreading in India as ‘Variant of Concern.’ The UN body said that the variant which is spreading faster than the original version might have some increased resistance to vaccine protections.
Maria Van Kerkove, the WHO’s lead on Covid-19 reportedly said, “There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of the B.1.617.” She pointed to early studies suggesting that there is some “reduced neutralisation”.
The WHO explained that the Indian variant of Covid-19 appears to be transmitting more easily than the original virus, it is deadly or able to get past some vaccine protections.
WHO also pointed to “preliminary evidence” that the variant was more resistant to treatment with the monoclonal antibody Bamlanivimab, and also highlighted early lab studies indicating “limited reduction in neutralisation by antibodies”.
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The health agency said the spread of B.1.617, alongside other more transmittable variants, appeared to be one of several factors fuelling India’s dramatic surge in new cases and deaths.
India for the past two days has reported a significant drop in the number of daily Covid-19 cases. On Tuesday, the country reported 3,29,942 new Covid cases, 3,56,082 discharges and 3,876 deaths. The Central government has said the number of daily Covid-19 cases are on decline in at least 18 states and union territories.
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