High U.S. infectious illness official Anthony Fauci mentioned Friday {that a} ban on flights from southern Africa was a risk and the USA was dashing to assemble information on the brand new COVID-19 variant.
No choice to halt flights had but been made, he mentioned. The Wall Avenue Journal, citing individuals aware of the matter, mentioned White Home officers have been discussing potential journey restrictions on southern African nations. These officers have been anticipated to fulfill with company officers Friday afternoon to make a suggestion, the newspaper mentioned, with out specifying which company.
The White Home referred to Fauci’s earlier feedback when requested concerning the report and declined additional remark. International authorities have reacted with alarm to the brand new variant, detected in South Africa, with the European Union and Britain amongst these tightening border controls as scientists search to search out out if the mutation is vaccine-resistant.
The World Well being Group (WHO), nonetheless, has cautioned towards hasty measures and South Africa mentioned a British ban on flights appeared rushed.
“There’s at all times the potential of doing what the UK has finished, specifically block journey from South Africa and associated nations,” Fauci mentioned in an interview on CNN.
“That is definitely one thing you consider and get ready to do. You are ready to do the whole lot it’s worthwhile to shield the American public. However you need to be sure there is a foundation for doing that,” he mentioned.
“Clearly as quickly as we discover out extra info we’ll decide as rapidly as we presumably can.”
Fauci mentioned U.S. scientists would converse with South African counterparts Friday concerning the new variant, referred to as B.1.1.529, which has raised concern about its transmissibility and whether or not it would evade immune responses.
He added there was no indication the brand new variant was already in the USA.
