Mu: New Covid strain designated variant of interest by WHO

1 September 2021, 06:06 | Updated: 2 September 2021, 06:17

A new coronavirus strain has been designated a variant of interest
A new coronavirus strain has been designated a variant of interest. Picture: Alamy
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

A new Covid strain named Mu that was first detected in Colombia has been designated a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Mu, or B.1.621, has since spread to other South American countries and has also been found in Europe.

It has mutations that suggest it could be more resistant to vaccines - like the Beta variant - but more studies will be needed to examine this further, the WHO's weekly bulletin on the pandemic said.

The report added: "Since its first identification in Colombia in January 2021, there have been a few sporadic reports of cases of the Mu variant and some larger outbreaks have been reported from other countries in South America and in Europe.

Read more: Govt intends to press on with vaccine passport plans for nightclubs

Read more: Why teenage Covid victim was branded 'Satan' by anti-vaxxers

People reassessing career post-Covid, analyst reveals

"Although the global prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has declined and is currently below 0.1 per cent, the prevalence in Colombia (39 per cent) and Ecuador (13 per cent) has consistently increased.

"The epidemiology of the Mu variant in South America, particularly with the co-circulation of the Delta variant, will be monitored for changes."

WHO officials have so far identified four variants of concern: the Alpha variant - first recorded in Kent - seen in 193 countries, Beta in 141, Gamma in 91 and Delta in 170 countries.

Meanwhile, Mu is the fifth Covid variant of interest.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The owner of an Edinburgh nightclub has shut down sick social media rumours that he was the victim of a fatal incident over the weekend.

Nightclub owner forced to shut down rumours he was victim of Edinburgh attack amid 'severed head' claims

Producer and songwriter Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91

Music titan Quincy Jones who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra dies aged 91

Kamala Harris moves key rally over Secret Service safety concerns as White House race enters final 24 hours

Kamala Harris moves key rally over Secret Service safety concerns as White House race enters final 24 hours

RSPB mutiny after veteran manager sacked over unfounded claims he treated Syrian refugee colleague 'like a slave'

RSPB mutiny after veteran manager sacked over unfounded claims he treated Syrian refugee colleague 'like a slave'

Third racoon recovered following animals' mass escape from Isle of Wight zoo

'Check your gardens!': Third racoon recovered following mass animal escape from Isle of Wight zoo

Kamala Harris (R) and actress Maya Rudolph (L) on Saturday Night Live

FCC regulator claims Kamala Harris surprise SNL appearance violates ‘equal time’ rule

Starmer to double Border Force funding as PM unveils fast-tracked justice for people smugglers akin to summer riots

Starmer to double Border Force funding as PM unveils fast-tracked justice for people smugglers akin to summer riots

Elon musk reacted as Peanut the squirrel was euthanised

Elon Musk fuming as internet sensation Peanut the Squirrel euthanised

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris make final pitches

Harris and Trump make closing pitches with two days to election

Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge appears to be in disrepair as the disgraced duke had his allowance cut off by The King.

Prince Andrew's Windsor lodge in 'dire state' as disgraced royal loses £1m allowance

Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has revealed he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Hollywood star James van der Beek diagnosed with bowel cancer but says he is 'feeling good'

Rebecca Harris has been appointed Conservative chief whip, according to her predecessor Stuart Andrew.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch appoints Rebecca Harris as chief whip in first appointment since win

Headquarters building of the Greater Manchester Police Force at Moston Vale, North Manchester, England.

Police officer arrested after car crash that left man, 42, fighting for life in Rochdale

Harris is projected to win Iowa over former President Trump.

Iowa poll bombshell predicts Harris victory in blow to Trump campaign days before election

The Israeli military has said it carried out its first ground operation into Syria - as it announced it had captured a man who has links to Iran (stock images)

IDF confirms first ground operation into Syria of war - and says it has seized a man 'with links to Iran'

Iranian authorities have arrested a woman who was filmed stripping down to her underwear to protest harassment by the regime's morality police.

Iran arrests woman who stripped to underwear to protest morality police harassed over 'improper hijab'