South Sudan confirms two new COVID-19 variants

South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has stated that the country has confirmed two new COVID-19 variants.

Eye Radio reports that according to officials at the ministry, the variants dubbed as A23.1 and B1.5.2.5 were sequenced at the Uganda Virus Institute.

Out of 46 samples sent to the Institute, nine tested positive for Variant A23.1 which were initially detected in Uganda.

While 26 of the samples tested positive for the UK-Nigerian variant B1.5.2.5, also reported in 26 other countries across the globe.

Only one of the confirmed variants was originally from Wuhan in China.

Dr. John Rumunu, director of Preventive Health Care Services, says the samples were drawn from Juba and Nimule between January and March 2021.

The variants transmissibility mode, he stated, is high and may have caused the second wave the country experienced this year.

“These variants are associated with higher transmission at the borders, their original countries and higher global movement, and probably they were responsible for the second wave in the country,” Dr. Rumunu stated.

S. Sudan has thus far recorded 10,670 positive COVID-19 cases and 115 deaths, reported to WHO.

As of May 20, a total of 7,500 vaccine doses had been administered.

(With input from Eye Radio)