After Omicron, a variant of the deadly Wuhan virus, a new variant, more severe and infectious than Omicron, has been reported in France.

Detected in France, the IHU variant (B. 1. 640.2)  was discovered by the academics at institute IHU Mediterranee Infection.  According to experts, the new variant contains 46 mutations, which is said to be more dangerous and transmissible than the existing variants like Delta, Delta Plus and Omicron variants.

The research paper read, “Fourteen amino acid substitutions, including N501Y and E484K, and 9 deletions are located in the spike protein.  This genotype pattern led to the creation of a new Pangolin lineage named B.1.640.2, which is a phylogenetic sister group to the old B.1.640 lineage renamed B.1.640.1.”

Besides, Epidemiologist Mr. Eric Feigl-Ding posted a long Twitter thread in which he said that new variants keep emerging.  He said, “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 further said, “This is when it becomes a “variant of concern” – like Omicron, which is more contagious and more passive.  It remains to be seen in which category this new variant will fall.”

In addition, at least 12 cases of the new variant have been reported near Marseilles, and have been linked to travel to the African country of Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the new variant, IHU, B.1.640.2 has not been spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO).