WHO’s Science in 5 on COVID-19: Update on virus variants

When you hear about variants, variants of concern,

variants of interest, mutations, double or

triple mutations, what does that mean?

And what action does the public
need to take to protect themselves?

Hello and welcome to Science in 5.

I'm Vismita Gupta-Smith.

Giving us an update on variants today is

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove.

Maria, give us an update on the variants that are

circulating right now.

Thanks for having me back.

There are several virus variants that WHO is tracking

around the world.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus
that causes COVID-19, is evolving.

This is natural evolution and the virus is expected to change

the more the virus circulates around.

Currently, there are four variants of concern that WHO is

tracking around the world.

The B.1.1.7, which was first identified in the United Kingdom,

the B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa,

the P.1 variant which was first identified in

Japan from travelers from Brazil.

And now we've recently classified the B.1.617,

which was first identified in India.

Now, it's really important that you look at the latest

information from WHO because this is a

fast changing situation.

The latest information we have on all of our variants of

interest and variants of
concern that we are tracking

are released on our website in our

weekly epidemiological SitRep.

Maria, how does WHO classify a variant as a variant of

interest or a variant of concern?

Variants of interest have properties, have mutations

that have been identified that need further study.

Variants of concern have demonstrated changes.

For example, you may have

increased transmissibility, there may be a change in

disease presentation or severity, or there may be a

change in our ability to control the virus with public

health and social measures, or the use of diagnostics,

therapeutics and vaccines.

So the recent variant of concern, the B.1.617,

for example, has demonstrated
increased transmissibility and

this is why this has been
classified as a variant of concern.

So, you'll notice when I said a
variant of concern, I named it

by a number, for example B.1.617,

and I didn't call it a country name variant.

It's really important that we don't do that.

We don't say country X variant, because that really

adds a stigma associated with these variants.

And it's important that surveillance is occurring

around the world and we detect
these variants very quickly and

the information is shared so
that it can be analyzed so that

we understand the potential implications once

they are identified.

What does this mean for the public?

It means that we need to do
everything that we can to

prevent infections and reduce
the spread of the

SARS-CoV-2 virus, whether it's
a virus variant, a variant of

interest or a variant of
concern or not, the SARS-CoV-2

virus can infect us and
it can spread between people.

So, it means take all of the
measures that you can to reduce

your exposure in the possibility
of you getting infected.

It means physical distancing,
avoiding crowded spaces,

spending more time outdoors than indoors.

If you are indoors, make sure
that there's good ventilation.

It's about having clean hands
and wearing a mask properly

over your nose
and your mouth, practicing

respiratory etiquette,
being well informed.

And no matter what you do know
what your risk is and take

steps to lower your risk.

And lastly, when it's
your turn, get vaccinated.

There are many studies underway
studying the properties of each

of these variants of concern in
terms of transmissibility,

severity and impact on diagnostics,
therapeutics and vaccines.

So far from the information
that we have from the studies

that are underway and the
results that are available,

the public health and social measures,

the diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines do

work against these virus variants.

We are learning every day and
as soon as we have

more information, we will share
this with you.

Thank you, Maria.

That was Dr Maria Van Kerkhove giving
us an update on virus variants.

Until next time then.

Stay safe, stay healthy and
stick with science.