A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in Botswana. It has been named B.1.1.529 and may be designated as Nu strain. It is speculated that this new strain originated in a patient with immunocompromised status, possibly an untreated HIV/AIDS infection.

A total of 10 cases have been identified on genome sequencing. So far, three cases in Botswana (in Africa, where it was first isolated on November 11, 2021), six in South Africa and one in Hong Kong have been detected. The case in Hong Kong had a history of travel to South Africa, who tested positive for during quarantine. This suggests that variant might be further widespread.

This new variant has 32 mutations on the spike protein. It shares the K417N and E484A mutations with the Beta variant (B.1.351) first detected in South Africa, which could allow this new variant to evade the vaccines. The N440K mutation, found on the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) and S477N mutation on the variant detected in New York called B. 1.526 impart properties of immune escape.

The N501Y mutation, also found in the beta and alpha variants first detected in the UK, may make the virus potentially more transmissible. The variant also has mutations P681H and N679K on the spike protein, which are “rarely seen together”, say experts. Other mutations include G446S, T478K, Q493K, G496S, Q498R and Y505H, though their significance is uncertain.

The wide-ranging mutations have raised real concerns about increased transmissibility and potential immune escape. However, there are apparently two schools of thought about the impact of this new variant. The unusual assortment of mutations have been described as “horrific” by a virologist from the Imperial College, London, who has also cautioned that this new variant had the potential to be even more deadly than the delta variant, which is now the predominant strain worldwide. According to another expert from the University College London, this new strain needs to be very closely monitored for now. While there are others who speculate that the large number of mutations may make it more “unstable” limiting its spread.

However, it is too soon to say at this point of time how this variant will evolve. Will it become another variant of concern? Or will it die out? Only time will tell.

 Sources

1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/24/scientists-warn-of-new-covid-variant-with-high-number-of-mutations.
2. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10238113/New-Botswana-variant-32-horrific-mutations-evolved-Covid-strain-EVER.html .