WHO recognizes a new strain of coronavirus in South Africa as a threat to the world

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assigned the Greek letter omicron (O) to a new strain of coronavirus that was identified in South Africa. Experts have concluded that another type of virus could threaten countries that are already fighting the spread of infection, REUTERS reports.

The WHO concluded that the B.1.1.529 virus, after a series of mutations, can affect the protein content of the body. The problem is that current vaccines may not be as effective with this change.

The example of South Africa has shown that this version of the virus is spreading faster than its predecessors, and can affect more people, including those who have previously had other strains, the WHO suggests. The organization called on all countries to pay more attention to the study of the new strain.

Earlier, the Minister of Health of South Africa, Joe Faala, warned about the danger of a new strain. He warned that the variant of the virus, which was identified on November 11, is dangerous, and announced new restrictions on visiting the country.

In recent weeks, a new strain of the virus has been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong.

Vaccine maker Pfizer BionTech SE and ASTRAZENECA said they are carefully studying the situation with the emergence of a new strain.

The Federal Operational Headquarters previously reported that a new strain of coronavirus has not yet been detected in Russia, the situation with its occurrence is being studied, and it is still premature to draw conclusions.

The operational headquarters instructed Rospotrebnadzor, together with the Ministry of Transport, to organize express testing of Russians who arrived from South African countries and Hong Kong. Also, citizens of Russia and foreigners arriving from CHINA , Israel and the UK will have to undergo screening .