WHO monitors infection of the AY.4.2 strain of the Delta mutant

The World Health Organization is monitoring infection of the "AY.4.2" strain of the delta mutant, which is becoming more frequent in cases of COVID-19.

In its weekly report on the epidemic, the organization said that the strain includes three additional mutations, including two mutations in the Spike virus envelope protein.

She added that "AY.4.2" sequences were uploaded to the global database "GISAID" from 43 countries, 93% were from the United Kingdom, where a gradual rise in the proportion of new cases was observed.

This strain represented 5.9% of all delta mutated cases reported in the UK during the week of October 3.

According to the WHO, "epidemiological and laboratory studies are under way" to determine whether AY.4.2 is more contagious or if it impairs the antibodies.

Among the new infections, the proportion of those under the age of 25 has increased since the beginning of last July, especially in Europe and the Western Pacific.

According to the World Health Organization, 47% of the world's population has so far received at least one dose of the vaccine against Covid-19.

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