New IHU Covid Variant in Reported in France, 12 Infected and Know the Symptoms

New IHU Covid Variant in France: A new COVID-19 variant, IHU has been identified in France, which is reported to be more infectious than the Omicron variant. As per a study, the new IHU Covid variant probably originated in Cameroon and harbours both substitutions N501Y and E484K in the spike protein. 

Around 12 cases of the new variant have been reported near Marseilles in France. They have been linked to travel to the African country Cameroon. The news comes as the world is currently battling the spike in COVID-19 cases.

The new IHU Covid variant, dubbed as B.1.640.2,  was discovered on December 10 by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection. Its discovery was announced in a paper posted on medRxiv.

🔔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

New IHU Covid Variant in France: Know mutations, severity and symptoms here

When was IHU Covid variant first detected?

The IHU Covid variant was first detected by researchers on December 10 and they have been studying it since then. The first case of IHU Covid variant was an adult from a small town in southeastern France. He had been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 in an RT-PCR test performed at a private lab in November 2021. Later, the samples of seven other COVID-19 positive cases from the same area showed the same combination of mutations. 

How many people have been infected so far with new Covid variant?

At least 12 people were found infected with IHU in the Marseille area and reports have said some of them have been hospitalised with the illness. The cases have been linked to travel to the African country Cameroon.

IHU Covid Variant Symptoms

So far, not much is known about the new IHU Covid variant.  The first positive case of the IHU Covid variant had developed mild respiratory symptoms. The World Health Organisation is yet to examine the variant and label it. 

IHU more infectious than Omicron?

As per French scientists, the new IHU Covid variant has more mutations than the Omicron variant and is said to be highly infectious. A study revealed that the IHU Covid variant has 46 mutations and 37 deletions resulting in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions. Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins. The study is yet to be peer-reviewed. 

The IHU variant has both N501Y and E484K mutations in the spike protein. These mutations were seen earlier also in Beta, Gamma, Theta and Omicron variants. As per experts, the N501Y mutation can make the variant more transmissible and the E484K mutation could mean that the variant will be more resistant to vaccines.

The authors of the study said, "The mutation set and phylogenetic position of the genomes obtained here indicate based on our previous definition a new variant we named IHU."

Read more: Omicron Cases in India: Check Full List of States that have reported Omicron Variant

Should we be alarmed?

The researchers noted that it is too early to speculate how this variant behaves as far as infection and protection from vaccines is concerned. The variant has not yet been identified in other countries so far or been labeled as a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding, new variants keep emerging but it does not necessarily mean they will be more dangerous. He tweeted saying, "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." He said this is when it becomes a "variant of concern" - like Omicron, which is more contagious and more past immunity evasive. 

He further added saying that it remains to be seen in which category this new variant will fall.

7) This is when it becomes a "variant of concern" - like Omicron, which is more contagious and more past immunity evasive.
It remains to be seen in which category this new variant will fall.

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

Background

Several countries across the globe are currently experiencing a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases due to the spread of Omicron variant which was first identified in South Africa and Botswana in November 2021. Omicron was declared as a variant of concern by WHO and it has now spread to over 100 countries. India so far has a total of 1,892 Omicron cases, which have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories.