“We’re in close contact with UK officials on the new #COVID19 virus variant. They’ll continue to share info & results of their analysis & ongoing studies. We’ll update Member States & public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant & any implications,” the organization tweeted.

We’re in close contact with UK officials on the new #COVID19 virus variant. They’ll continue to share info & results of their analysis & ongoing studies. We’ll update Member States & public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant & any implications.

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 19, 2020

A new variant of COVID-19 was reported in the United Kingdom earlier in December. A mutation in the viral genome region encoding the spike protein can result in COVID-19 spreading more easily between humans.

As of 13 December, 1108 cases with this variant had been identified in the UK in nearly 60 different local authorities. These cases were predominantly in the south east of England. The strain has also been identified in Wales and Scotland.

It was reported that at least one case study in the Netherlands revealed the same strain and that it had spread to at least two other countries.

England, Wales, Scotland, and the Netherlands have all imposed travel restrictions in reaction to the mutant strain.

While the new variant has mutations to the spike protein that the three leading vaccines are targeting, the immune system produces antibodies to several regions of the protein in response to the vaccine, so it is unlikely that a single mutation would make the vaccine less effective.

However, as more mutations occur, the vaccine may need to be altered. The SARS-CoV-2 virus does not mutate as quickly as the flu virus, and the new vaccines that have so far proved effective are types that can be adjusted if necessary. (ILKHA)