The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that a COVID-19 variant first identified in India, known as B.1.617, has now been detected in 49 countries worldwide. This development has prompted the WHO to classify B.1.617 as a “variant of concern”, signaling increased transmissibility and potential resistance to some treatments and antibodies.
The surge of this variant is believed to be a significant factor in India’s alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, which have surpassed 23 million. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation as the B.1.617 variant’s rapid spread poses a global health challenge.
Amid the escalating COVID-19 crisis, India is also confronting an outbreak of a severe fungal infection known as “black fungus” or mucormycosis. This life-threatening condition begins in the sinuses and can extend to the brain, with symptoms such as facial swelling, nasal congestion, and black lesions. Cases of black fungus typically emerge weeks after a COVID-19 infection, raising concerns about its association with the virus.
According to the WHO, India accounted for approximately 50% of all new coronavirus cases globally in the past week. The international community is urging coordinated efforts to address the spread of the B.1.617 variant and support India’s healthcare system during this critical time.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
