First it was alpha, then delta, then omicron – the most easily spread virus in history – and now, researchers at the University of Aix-Marseille have studied the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant with 46 mutations and 37 deletions called IHU.

According to researchers the new COVID-19 variant ‘IHU’ which has been detected in 12 patients near Marseille, is more infectious than Omicron.

A new study published in medRxiv looking at analyses of 12 covid-19-positive patients in Marseille (France) detected mutations that showed an “atypical” combination. According to the researchers, patient zero had recently returned from a trip to Cameroon.

France detects new COVID-19 variant 'IHU', more infectious than Omicron: All we know about it https://t.co/KM6tAwX3Wr pic.twitter.com/cdUsaACkLg

— Firstpost (@firstpost) January 4, 2022

The research revealed 46 mutations and 37 deletions, a specialized journal reports. “These data are another example of the unpredictability of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their introduction into a given geographical area from abroad,” explain the authors of the study.

It has not yet been considered a variant of interest by the health authorities and they will continue to study its evolution closely.

-Thailand News (TN)