A new variant the World Health Organization is monitoring is called “Mu” and it could possible evade the immunity vaccines have provided.
The variant is also known as B.1.621 and was added to the WHO’s list of variants that are considered to be of interest on Aug. 30.
The genetic mutations found inside Mu show that it has a natural immunity and both current vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatments might not work.
Whether it is more contagious, deadly or resistant to vaccines is still unknown.
Right now what is known are that is has genetic mutations unlike prior variants that indicate it can escape immunity.
The four variants that are listed as “of concern” and being studied by WHO include Delta which began in India and is now the main strain in the U.S., Alpha which was found in the U.K., Beta, found in South Africa and Gamma which was found in Brazil.
Lambda is also a variant of interest and has been behind outbreaks in Peru. The strain has genetic changes that make it possibly more dangerous.
Delta began as a variant of interest until the speed at which it spreads was discovered
bumping it up to a variant of concern.
Mu was first identified in Colombia and is now in 39 countries.
Globally its presence has dropped, but it continues to thrive in Colombia and Ecuador.
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