THE WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the alarm after identifying a potentially dangerous new variant of Covid-19, which some experts believe could be more resistant to vaccines.
The WHO described the strain, known as 'Mu', as a "variant of interest", after it was detected in 39 countries around the world.
It's been found to possess a cluster of mutations that may make it less susceptible to the immune protection many have acquired through inoculation, but more studies are needed in order to reach a conclusive diagnosis.
Mu, or B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia at the start of the year but cases have since been recorded all over South America and the strain has now spread to Europe.
Cases have ben reported in the UK - where at least 32 have been identified - the US, France and Hong Kong.
It now accounts for around 40% of all Covid-19 cases in Colombia, and 13% of all cases in neighbouring Ecuador, according to the WHO.
Their latest bulletin read: "Since its first identification in Colombia in January 2021, there have been a few sporadic reports of cases of the Mu variant and some larger outbreaks have been reported from other countries in South America and in Europe.
"Although the global prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has declined and is currently below 0.1%, the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) has consistently increased.
"The epidemiology of the Mu variant in South America, particularly with the co-circulation of the Delta variant, will be monitored for changes."
