\u201cWe are concerned that this new variant may pose substantial risk to public health,\u201d said Javid. \u201cEarly indications show this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant, and current vaccines may be less effective against it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Javid also said that mutations found in B.1.1.529 may impact the effectiveness of a major COVID-19 treatment used in hospitals in the UK, called Ronapreve.<\/p>\n
Read more coronavirus news:<\/strong><\/p>\n Professor Tulio de Oliveira<\/a>, a virologist and Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, spoke at a briefing on COVID-19 developments<\/a> that was arranged by the South Africa department of health.<\/p>\n \u201c[The B.1.1.529 variant has a] very unusual constellation of mutations,\u201d said de Oliveira at the briefing. He explained that there are around 50 mutations in the B.1.1.529 genome, 30 of which are in the spike protein. To compare, the Delta variant<\/a> has 13 mutations.<\/p>\n Of these 30 mutations, some have been well characterised by scientists and have a known impact on transmissibility and the virus\u2019s ability to evade immunity. However, de Oliveira said many of the mutations have been rarely seen before, and so are not fully understood.<\/p>\n The WHO has assigned B.1.1.529 the name Omicron, following the theme of letters of the Greek alphabet.<\/p>\n So far, there are no known cases of the new B.1.1.529 variant in the UK.<\/p>\n According to data from the GISAID COVID tracking initiative there have 65 cases identified in South Africa. Scientists have also confirmed six cases of the Omicron variant in Botswana, and four in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n There is not yet enough evidence to say conclusively whether the B.1.1.529 variant will be able to evade protection from coronavirus vaccines.<\/p>\n However, at the briefing with South African Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla<\/a>, experts revealed what is known about the new strain.<\/p>\n Mutations to the coronavirus spike protein affect the ability of the virus to enter human cells. Of the 30 mutations found in the B.1.1.529 spike protein, several changes have been identified that are associated with resistance to antibodies<\/a> from either a COVID-19 vaccine<\/a> or natural immunity following prior infection.<\/p>\n The Omicron variant also has a deletion to a gene<\/a> that is similar to one found in Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Lambda, which is thought to strengthen the virus\u2019s ability to evade immune system responses.<\/p>\n According to Javid, the UK Health Security Agency is worried \u201cabout the rise in cases in Southern Africa [because] these populations should have significant natural immunity [from prior infections].\u201d However Javid said we cannot yet be sure that the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases in South Africa is due to B.1.1.529 but that it\u2019s likely there are more cases of the Omicron variant than currently sequenced.<\/p>\n The new strain is known to have mutations near an area on the spike protein associated with more efficient cell entry<\/a>, which means enhanced transmissibility among populations.<\/p>\n It also has mutations that are known to increase the infectivity, fitness, and virulence<\/a> of SARS-CoV-2.<\/p>\n The WHO\u2019s variant under monitoring designation<\/a> means the WHO will be monitoring and tracking the global spread of B.1.1.529, and will be undertaking its own assessment of the variant\u2019s characteristics and public health risk.<\/p>\n It also means countries that are members of WHO \u2013 which the UK is \u2013 are required to:<\/p>\n As far as we know, this new variant appears to have the same symptoms as all other coronavirus strains. The main symptoms of COVID-19<\/a>, according to the NHS, are:<\/p>\n The NHS say that most people who have symptoms of COVID-19 will have at least one of the above.<\/p>\nHow many cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the UK?<\/h2>\n
![\""A\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/4\/2021\/11\/Screenshot-2021-11-26-at-12.56.17-a49c1b5.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C288"\" "\\"\"Screenshot\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Will vaccines still work against the Omicron variant?<\/h2>\n
Is the Omicron <\/strong>variant more transmissible?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How are we tracking the spread of B.1.1.529?<\/h2>\n
What are the symptoms of the <\/strong>B.1.1.529 <\/strong>variant?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What other variants have been identified in the UK?<\/h2>\n