The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says it cannot rule out the possibility that the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 - first detected in India - might already be in South Africa.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says it cannot rule out the possibility that the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 – first detected in India – might already be in South Africa.

Published on

4 May 2021

According to news-website, IOL, the acting director of NICD, Professor Adrian Puren says when they look at all the other variants in circulation, it may well be inevitable that other variants will reach South African shores because of travel.

The NICD however says the variant has not yet been detected in South Africa.

The B.1.617 variant has raised global concern after being reported in 17 countries including Germany, Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, Singapore and Fiji.

Scientists says the variant carries two mutations, which could potentially make it more contagious and deadlier, but could also allow the variant to evade a vaccinated body’s immune system.