IHU — New Covid variant

Overview

Ever since the discovery of IHU, a new covid variant, people are highly concerned about yet another coronavirus outcome. With the scientific name of B.1.640.2, this variant was first discovered in France. 

However, it is widely recognised as IHU covid variant because it was discovered by scientists at IHU Mediterranee Infection Institute in France. People have become worried because of the initial infection of 12 people in France. 

Scientists are yet to conclude the specific symptoms of this variant. Having said that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you do not need to worry much about this new IHU covid variant. 

What do we know so far?

There is no doubt that we are living in an era of pandemic. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have witnessed several mutations and variants of the novel coronavirus including the Delta variant. 

The latest one is the Omicron variant, best known for its high rate of transmission. After France detects the new covid variant, IHU, it has worried many people worldwide. 

This IHU variant is reported to have 46 mutations in atypical combinations. But so far, the IHU, the new covid variant has not widely been reported outside France. 

Even WHO has designated this IHU variant neither the variant of interest nor the variant of concern. These are the WHO’s two categories that are used to monitor life-threatening variants. 

Are pi and IHU covid variants the same?

The scientific name of the IHU covid variant is B.1.640.2. However, it is usually recognised as the IHU variant.

But at the same time, the pi variant is also being spoken widely. You can clear this confusion by knowing the morale behind the naming of covid variants by WHO. 

WHO names the covid variant with Greek alphabets in a certain order. Delta is one such covid variant that derives its name from the Greek alphabet. Similarly, Omicron is also a Greek alphabet. 

Pi comes next to Omicron, but the name Pi has not yet been made official for the IHU variant because WHO is yet to consider that this IHU variant is something to be concerned about. 

If WHO recognise it as a cause for concern, then this variant will be called as Pi variant. 

What is the risk associated with it?

The person who first gets affected by this IHU variant developed mild respiratory symptoms. Apart from this, there are no clear shreds of evidence of possible symptoms this variant can cause. 

According to some studies, the IHU variant has been found to have 46 mutations and 37 deletions. All these mutations and deletions are linked to the change in the genetic code of this virus. 

Each of these changes can alter the characteristics of the virus including how transmissible it is and how severe side effects it can cause. 

But the alarming fact is that this variant has 23 mutations on its spike protein. This is the part of the virus that perforates the cell and causes infection. Vaccines are specifically designed to target this spike protein and disarm them. 

But with these many mutations in the spike protein, vaccines may miss some of the mutated strains and may not be effective as a whole. For example, the Omicron variant has 50 mutations, out of which 30 are on spike proteins. 

However, there are no clear studies or evidence on how these mutations will interact among themselves, and what can be the outcome of all this. 

Should we be worried?

The initial cases of the new IHU variant have been reported in November 2021. But the incidence of this variant is highly outnumbered by the Omicron variant, which is spreading at a much faster pace. 

Since Omicron’s high rate of transmission, it infects people on a wider scale and eventually makes most of the people immune to the virus.

Hence, even if the IHU variant starts spreading afterward, it will not severely affect people as they may already have developed immunity towards it. 

Moreover, the reporting of the IHU variant is very limited and is not being seen outside France. Even WHO has not acknowledged this variant as a cause for concern. So, for now, you do not have to worry much about this IHU variant. 

A word of concern

In these uncertain living conditions, there is no way of knowing in which way the virus will mutate and what could be the possible outcomes of that. 

Scientists say that viruses can either up mutate or down mutate. For instance, Omicron is an up mutation, but it is not as severe as the Delta variant. 

However, you can place your hope in sound science in this cloud of uncertainty. With the coming of covid vaccines, the immunity of people in various social spheres has improved. This provides the best possible chance to fight this pandemic.