France detects new COVID-19 variant 'IHU', more infectious than Omicron: All we know about it

[BeckyDem]

The new variant — B.1.640.2 — which has been detected in 12 patients near Marseille, contains 46 mutations, making it more resistant to vaccines and infectious

FP Staff
January 04, 2022 13:23:51 IST


Excerpt:
Called IHU, as of now, the strain was discovered by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on 10 December.

Here’s what we know so far of this new COVID-19 variant:

• Researchers say that it contains 46 mutations — even more than Omicron — which makes it more resistant to vaccines and infectious.
• Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon.
• Tests show the strain carries the N501Y mutation — first seen on the Alpha variant — that experts believe can make it more transmissible
• According to the scientists, it also carries the E484K mutation, which could mean that the IHU variant will be more resistant to vaccines.
• It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization.

https://www.firstpost.com/health/france-detects-new-covid-19-variant-ihu-more-infectious-than-omicron-all-we-know-about-it-10256521.html


( What now? )

[Walleye]

1. Nooooo

[BeckyDem]

9. That was my reaction too....same. n/t

[Hortensis]

18. :) "Okay, so this'll likely be the next one, or one of them," was my reaction.

Practically on top of that was, "How bad? Any worse than Omicron?"

It was really interesting how fast Omicron elbowed out Delta. (The things we learn. And don't know.) Last I heard, only about 20% of infections here were Delta, making Omicron seem like an intervention from a benign deity. In the last week we've had a bunch of friends come down with it, learned of 2 more today; almost all vaccinated, none seriously ill -- knock wood.

[Walleye]

19. Same here, I'm hearing of more and more people I know getting sore throat, headache no breathing

Problems. All vaxxed

[MFM008]

2. Most people

Are so sick of hearing about this s*** they're not even going to take notice and they're not going to take precautions going into year 3.. alot of people just don't care anymore.
Many have already gotten vaccines those that don't many of them wear masks there's only so much you can do and so much information you can process.
There's only so much you can do.

[BeckyDem]

10. I hope it won't be most people, but you may be right.

[patphil]

3. Not exactly the Happy New Year we were looking for.

[BeckyDem]

11. Yes, it just gets bigger, all in the wrong way.

[dweller]

4. I H U

I Hate U



✌🏻

[BeckyDem]

12. +1

Me too.

[drray23]

5. It is going to be here in the next fews days

• It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization.

Marseille is a major port in France and one of the biggest cities. If it made it there and is highly contagious I have no doubt its going to spread everywhere.

[BeckyDem]

13. Yes. I'm afraid so.

[appalachiablue]

6. Forbes, New 'IHU' B.1.640.2 Covid-19 Coronavirus Variant Detected In France

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2022/01/04/new-ihu-b16402-covid-19-coronavirus-variant-detected-in-france/

[BeckyDem]

14. Thank you for adding that info.

Here we are my friend, stay safe.

[RussBLib]

7. lovely

maybe I'll find that 2nd booster now

[BeckyDem]

16. It is time, keep yourself safe.

[Pobeka]

8. I'd say it's already here.

By the time we read about it in the press -- it's already internationally seeded. Too many people flying around constantly.

We'll see how it goes. There have been a few other variants of concern that turned out to not be so bad after the initial wringing of hands.

[BeckyDem]

15. Fingers crossed.

[marie999]

17. A big problem is if vaccinated people can get it too.

The more people that get it the bigger the chance for more mutations. I knew it is stupid but sometimes I think a virus that kills enough people could save humanity from climate change.