"Global Health Threat" WHO Classifies India-Origin Variant as 'Variant of Concern'

4th Following the UK, Brazil, and South Africa

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the COVID-19 variant virus (B.1.617) identified in India as a "variant of concern" on the 10th (local time). The upgrade from a variant of interest to a variant of concern is analyzed as a judgment that it poses a threat to global health.

Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO COVID-19 technical team, said on the day, "The Indian variant has higher transmissibility than the original virus and may have resistance to vaccines," adding, "It is a variant of concern at the global level."

A variant of concern is more dangerous than the original virus in terms of infectivity, severity, and vaccine effectiveness. The Indian variant is the fourth variant of concern designated by the WHO, following variants found in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. So far, the WHO has classified seven variants, including the Indian variant, as variants of interest, and three as variants of concern.

CNBC interpreted the upgrade of the Indian variant to a variant of concern as "the WHO sees the Indian variant as a threat to global health."

However, it is explained that vaccine efficacy against the Indian variant is still valid. Team leader Van Kerkhove said, "There is no evidence to suggest that current COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, or vaccines are ineffective."

WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan also explained, "What we know is that vaccines and diagnostics are effective, and the same treatments used for the general virus are also effective," adding, "There is no reason to change them."

The WHO considers that more detailed information and investigation on the Indian variant are necessary. First, on the 11th, it plans to release specific information suggesting that the Indian variant has higher transmissibility than the original virus through a report.