Another new COVID variant ‘IHU’ discoverd in France

Another new COVID19 variant, ‘IHU’ (B.1.6402), has been discovered by the health authorities in France, which is more contagious than the Omicron. 

The new variant is suspected to be of Cameroonian origin and might be containing around 47 mutations and 37 deletions resulting in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions.

A total of 12 individuals have been found positive for the new variant in France, as per the data shared in the yet-to-be peer-reviewed study. 

Phillipe Colson, from IHU Mediterranee Infection, cited, “For 12 SARS-CoV-positive patients living in the same geographical area of southeastern France, qPCR testing that screen for variant-associated mutations showed an atypical combination. It is too early to assume on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of this new IHU COVID variant”. 

The first person who tested positive for the new variant was fully immunised. Although, the World Health Organisation – WHO has not issued any official statement regarding the discovery of another variant. 

The world has not been able to fully recover from the initial variants of the contagious COVID19, and now new variants have arrived. The previous variant (Omicron), which was discovered in the nations of South Africa is now can be observed in more than 100 countries across the globe. 

The study shows that Omicron is more transmissible but have milder symptoms as compared to the Delta variant of the COVID19 mutant. 

The discovery of IHU has now engraved fear among the people.