In Belgium, the first case of a new Covid variant has been discovered in Europe

Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said at a press conference, referring to B.1.1.529, which was first discovered in southern Africa, “We now have a case that is confirmed of this variant.”

Brussels, Belgium stated on Friday that it has discovered the first instance of the new Covid-19 strain in Europe, in an unvaccinated person returning from overseas.

He noted that the afflicted person tested positive for Covid-19 on November 22 and had never had the virus before.

Marc Van Ranst, a well-known Belgian virologist, tweeted on November 11 that the person had returned from Egypt.

“It must be repeated that this is a questionable variety — we don’t know if it is a particularly harmful version,” Vandenbroucke said.

However, he highlighted that Europe was suspending planes from southern Africa “as a precaution.”

“So, total cautious, but don’t panic,” he added, adding that the Covid-19 risk assessment committee in Belgium was looking at the situation.”

So far, where have cases been discovered?

According to the WHO, less than 100 sample sequences have been reported so far.
Cases have been confirmed primarily in South Africa, but also in Hong Kong, Israel, Botswana, and Belgium.

The variety is “very likely” to have spread to other nations, according to UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

The infections were discovered in a person who had come from South Africa in Hong Kong, as well as a guest in the same quarantine hotel who tested positive a few days later, according to the Department of Health. Both of them had been completely immunized.

In Belgium, the variation has been detected for the first time in Europe. An unvaccinated young woman who had recently traveled from Egypt to Turkey and got moderate flu symptoms 11 days later was the case.

According to Israeli media sources citing the country’s health ministry, one case was discovered in a person who returned from Malawi. Two other infections were suspected but were yet to be confirmed by test results.
All three were reportedly completely immunized.

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Originally published at https://yellowtelegraph.com on November 26, 2021.