France detects New Covid variant “IHU”, more infectious than Omicron

France has identified a new strain of coronavirus named ‘IHU’ having more mutations than the Omicron variant. The new variant which is believed to have emerged in Cameroon was discovered

France has identified a new strain of coronavirus named ‘IHU’ having more mutations than the Omicron variant.

The new variant which is believed to have emerged in Cameroon was discovered at the ‘Institute IHU Mediterranee Infection’ located in Marseille.

Researchers have informed that variant B.1.640.2 has 46 new mutations, which is more in number than the Omicron variant.

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The B.1.640.2 has not been found in other nations, and the World Health Organization has not classified it as a variety under research (WHO) till now.

Taking to Twitter, US epidemiologist and health economist Eric Liang, wrote, “NEW VARIANT—French scientists have “rung the bell” after discovering a cluster 12 cases of a variant of “atypical combination” with 46 mutations & 37 deletions in southern France after index case returned from Cameroon????????—dubbed #B16402.???? #COVID19”

Detailed PCR analysis can be used to detect the new variant which has different ‘signals’ from Delta and Omicron.

The news of the new variant comes at a time when French Health Minister Olivier

Veran informed that the country expects daily counts of new COVID-19 infections to rise much higher.

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Last week, France experienced four days of record-breaking new cases totaling more than 200,000.

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