An early study observing the genetic make-up of the IHU variant has suggested it contains more mutations than Omicron, which in the past month has established itself as the globally dominant variant of the virus. However, even though experts have known about IHU for more than a month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to downplay concerns about its potential effects. So, where has the variant been detected in the world so far?
Where has IHU been identified to date?
IHU was officially identified in November, for the first time in Marseille, southern France.
A vaccinated man who had recently returned from a trip to Cameroon was ruled to be the first individual to contract it.
However, there is no evidence to suggest the strain originated from the African country.
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A preliminary study which observed the IHU variant discovered findings that suggest the strain has 46 mutations, nine more than Omicron’s 37.
However, the paper has yet to be peer-reviewed and the scientists who conducted the research have stressed: “It is too early to speculate on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of this IHU variant based on these 12 cases”.
Early studies to have examined the Omicron variant have suggested the high number of mutations it has is helping to drive infection rates throughout the world.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows around one in 15 people in English private households had Covid for the week ending December 31.
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