The WHO clarifies that the subvariant identified in France “is not circulating very actively”

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, leading epidemiologist of the World Health Organization (WHO), has clarified that the body is already monitoring the subvariant B.1.640.2, detected in France and that it has been unofficially baptized as IHU, although clarifies that “it is not circulating very actively.”

Specifically, it has detailed that it is a subvariant of the B.1.640 lineage, which in a number of countries and was already categorized as a variant “under supervision” by the WHO in November of this year.

“This variant represents less than 1% of the samples in France. There are two subvariants: B.1.640.1 and B.1.640.2, and it is important that we follow them, due to the number of mutations it has, but , has added Van Kerkhove.

“It is quite common for this situation to occur”, has reassured the WHO epidemiologist, who has emphasized that “Current vaccines against COVID-19 do they work for all active variants ”.

Less active variant

“It is a less active variant and it is still being evaluated”, The director of the WHO Immunization Department, Kate O’Brien, has reported. “It is a variant that is perhaps increasing its prevalence. We have specific tests of it, but it is pending a more in-depth analysis “, has specified.

Like Van Kerkhove, O’Brien wanted to emphasize the role of vaccines to protect against severe cases of the disease, “as it is being seen with Ómicron ”. the expert has reiterated.

This new variant has received the name of IHU from the acronym of the Méditerrannée University Hospital Institute of Marseille (France). Based on early analysis, it has 46 mutations and 37 deletions that resulted in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions.

Its genotype led to the creation of a new lineage, B.1.640.2, which is a phylogenetic sister group of the old B.1.640 lineage, renamed B.1.640.1. Both lineages differ in 25 nucleotide substitutions and 33 deletions.

Follow us on twitter: