India-dominant Covid variant found in 53 countries: WHO

The B.1.617 Covid-19 variant, first detected in India, has now been found in 53 countries, according to the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, published May 25. 

According to the update, the B.1.617 variant that was first detected in India and is now prevalent in 53 countries globally, is divided in three lineages -- B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3.

The update also gave a break-up of prevalence of the three sub-lineages of the B.1.617 variant in countries, territories and areas as of May 25.

According to it, B.1.617.1 is found in 41 countries, B.1.617.2 in 54 countries and B.1.617.3 in six.

In addition, information for the B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 sub-lineages was received by WHO from unofficial sources in 11 countries, including China, and will be reviewed as more information becomes available.

WHO has declared B.1.617 as a “variant of concern” and the update noted that this variant has “increased transmissibility”, disease severity is “under investigation”, risk of reinfection is “under investigation, possible modest reduction in neutralization activity (B.1.617.1)”.