Researchers say that it contains 46 mutations – even more than Omicron – which makes it more resistant to vaccines and infectious, inform scientists.
It was first detected on December 10, but the WHO has still not labelled it as a variant under investigation. At least 12 cases of the new variant have been reported near Marseilles (France).
Taking to twitter, epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding posted that new variants keep emerging but it does not necessarily mean they will be more dangerous.
“What makes a variant more well-known and dangerous is its ability to multiply because of the number of mutations it has in relation to the original virus,” he tweeted.
At least 12 cases of the new variant have been reported near Marseilles, and has been linked to travel to the African country Cameroon.The B.1.640.2 variant has not been spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO).