Dutch well being officers stated Sunday 13 individuals who just lately arrived within the Netherlands on flights from South Africa have examined constructive for the brand new omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The passengers have been a part of a gaggle of 61 who examined constructive following their arrival in Amsterdam on Friday.
The announcement got here shortly after Australia stated two instances of the variant have been found in passengers who just lately arrived in Sydney.
Omicron is the fifth WHO-designated variant of concern. It was first detected just lately in South Africa, which has seen an exponential rise in COVID-19 instances.
There are about 30 mutations on the coronavirus’ spike protein, and scientists fear that a few of them may make the virus simpler to transmit. However scientists don’t but know whether or not omicron is in actual fact extra transmissible or harmful.
Circumstances of the variant have additionally been found in Israel, Hong Kong and several other European international locations.
Concern over the variant has prompted many international locations, together with america, Canada, Brazil, and European Union nations, to limit or ban journey from southern African international locations.
The South African authorities has known as the journey restrictions “rushed” and raised issues concerning the influence on enterprise.
The highest U.S. infectious ailments knowledgeable, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has stated he wouldn’t be shocked if the omicron variant have been already within the U.S.
On Sunday, Fauci instructed ABC’s “This Week” program that the omicron variant “seems” to be extra transmissible than different variants, however well being officers are nonetheless unsure if it causes extra extreme illness.
He stated efforts are beneath approach to decide if present COVID-19 vaccines are efficient towards the brand new variant and the reply doubtless will come within the subsequent two weeks.
“I don’t assume there’s any risk that this might utterly evade any safety by vaccine. It could diminish it a bit, however that’s the explanation why you increase,” Fauci stated, referring to booster pictures.
In South Africa, roughly 35% of the grownup inhabitants is vaccinated. Figures are even decrease throughout a lot of the African continent.
Heath specialists have warned vaccine inequality would create a breeding floor for virus mutations.
Data for this report got here from The Related Press and Reuters.