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What is the Mu Variant of COVID-19?

 What is the Mu Variant of COVID-19?

World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently monitoring the evolution of COVID-19. A new variant of Covid-19 has emerged — known as the Mu variant.

Mu was initially discovered in Colombia at the beginning of this year and has been reported in sporadic outbreaks in different parts of Europe and South America.

However, it is not as contagious as the Delta variant, making the professionals conclude that Australia should not worry about it.

Here are facts about the Mu strain of SARS-CoV-2.

What is Mu Variant?

The variant of COVID-19 aka B.1.621, 19 — known as Mu variant 19 — known as Mu variant was initially discovered in Colombia at the beginning of the year. It is now on the list of the five Variants of interest by the World Health Organisation.

Mu Variant of COVID-19

What Could Mu Variant Mean for Vaccines?

According to the WHO epidemiology report, the preliminary data revealed that Mu appeared to be more resistant to antibodies. However, more study is required on the implications of vaccines on Mu strain.

Some Other Variants Being Monitored by WHO

Mu is the fifth variant of interest to WHO. Different Greek letters of the alphabet are used to identify all the nine notable variants.

The following are, however, the variants of concern considered to be complicating the pandemic.

  • Gamma – was initially discovered in Brazil in November 2020
  • Alpha – was initially discovered in the United Kingdom in September 2020
  • Delta – was first discovered in India in October 2020
  • Beta – was initially discovered in South Africa in May 2020
  • Mu – detected in January 2021 in Columbia
  • Lambda – first discovered in Peru in December 2020
  • Eta – discovered in December 2020 in many countries of the world
  • Kappa – first discovered in India in October 2020
  • Lota – first discovered in the United States in November 2020

Over time, it is expected that more mutations of Covid-19 will be discovered as the virus mutates. Presently vaccination is our only defence against Covid, reducing hospitalisation and death by 90% among the vaccinated population.

The bottom line is that there should be awareness regarding the Mu variant of COVID-19 presently being monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Rakhi Malhotra

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