A new mutation of the Delta variant of COVID-19 that was detected in Nepal has been ascertained. The Ministry of Health and Population has said that the nine Delta samples that were sent to New Delhi of India for gene sequencing. It was during this procedure that the new mutation was detected.
Deputy Spokesperson of the Health Ministry, Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, informed that a new mutation, k417N, was detected during the gene sequencing of the nine samples that were sent to New Delhi. The new mutation has been named AY.1.
DrAdhikari said that this new mutation has been detected in 10 countries including Nepal. The ministry had collected the swab samples of people of different age groups across different parts of the country between May 9 and June 3. The National Public Health Laboratory had then selected nine samples and sent them to New Delhi for gene sequencing.
Till date the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Kappa (B.1.617.1) variants of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Nepal. Spokesperson of the Health Ministry, Dr Krishna Poudel, mentioned that this new mutation of the Delta variant is more contagious and affects people of all age groups. He said that this is just the new form of the Delta variant of the coronavirus that has already been detected in Nepal. He added that this is not a new variant but is more infectious.
The Ministry of Health and Population has urged all people to be aware and follow necessary health safety protocols to control and prevent the spread of this new form ofthe Delta variant of COVID-19.
