Where Did Variant B.1.1.529 Originate?

The AP reported today South African scientists stated it is 'unclear where the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variant arose. It was first identified in Botswana earlier in November 2021.'

The variant harbors a large number of the virus mutations, and it seems to be spreading quickly across South Africa.

"There's a lot we don't understand about this variant," Richard Lessells, an infectious-diseases physician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, said at a press briefing on November 25th, reported Nature.

"The mutation profile gives us concern, but now we need to do the work to understand the significance of this variant and what it means for the response to the pandemic."

The variant harbors a spike mutation that allows it to be detected by genotyping tests that deliver results much more rapidly than genome sequencing does, Lessells commented.

It has been defined as variant B.1.1.529 by the UK Health Security Agency.

B.1.1.529 was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has now been seen in travelers to Botswana, Hong Kong, and Israel.

The Times of Israel reported today the first case was detected in Israel today. The person is an Israeli who had returned from Malawi.

Israel's health ministry confirmed two other travelers were suspected of also being infected with the new strain and were awaiting final test results.