The world is still coping with the rapid spread of Omicron and the previously reported Delta variant. As infection rates surge in several countries, yet another COVID-19 variant has been discovered. Scientists in France have detected a new coronavirus variant called ‘IHU’. According to multiple reports, the variant which is dubbed B.1.640.2 was first found by researchers at the IHU Mediterranee Infection institute.

So far, 12 cases have been reported in Marseille with an initial case being linked to travel history in Cameroon, a country located in Central Africa. The researchers revealed that the IHU variant is believed to contain 46 mutations (higher than Omicron) which could mean that it’s far more infectious and resistant to vaccinations. Currently, it is too soon to tell if this is the latest variant of concern. The WHO is still investigating the findings.

Un nouveau variant COVID-19 à été détecté à l’IHU Méditerranée Infection issu de patients de Forcalquier. Il a été baptisé variant IHU et déposé sur GISAID sous le nom de B.1.640.2. pic.twitter.com/Rh3klIxy0w

— IHU Méditerranée Infection (@IHU_Marseille) December 9, 2021

U.S. epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding shared information on the IHU COVID-19 variant in a Twitter thread.

🔔NEW VARIANT—French scientists have “rung the bell” after discovering a cluster 12 cases of a variant of “atypical combination” with **46 mutations & 37 deletions** in southern France after index case returned from Cameroon🇨🇲—dubbed #B16402.🧵 #COVID19 https://t.co/SHXCbnkQUr pic.twitter.com/UwdL2hSW5g

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 3, 2022

He further added, “There are scores of new variants discovered all the time, but it does not necessarily mean they will be more dangerous. What makes a variant more well-known and dangerous is its ability to multiply because of the number of mutations it has in relation to the original virus.”

It is important to note that not much is known about the IHU variant including its transmission rate and vaccine efficacy. At present, Omicron is the dominant variant in France and several countries like the U.S. and the UK.

In other COVID-19-related news, Israel Detects ‘Florona’, Combined Infection Of COVID-19 And Influenza; Netizens Are Already Sick Of 2022

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