The first-ever case of the extremely infectious B.1.617 variant of coronavirus, first recognized in India, has been detected in Pakistan regardless of a ban on travellers from the neighbouring nation since April, the nation’s high well being institute right here has mentioned.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday shared the outcomes of whole-genome sequencing of SARS CoV-2 samples collected in the course of the first three weeks of May 2021, The Express Tribune reported on Friday.
The sequencing outcomes confirmed the detection of seven instances of B.1.351 [South African variant] and one case of B.1.617.2 [first identified in India]. This is the primary in-country detection of the latter pressure, the NIH mentioned in an announcement.
As per protocols, contact tracing of all of the instances is in progress by the Field Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Division and District Health Office (DHO), Islamabad, the report mentioned.
The NIH mentioned the continued detection of world strains highlighted the continuing want for commentary of tips, utilization of masks and want for vaccination.
After India’s outbreak of COVID-19 fuelled by the brand new pressure earlier this yr, Pakistan in April imposed a ban on travellers arriving from the neighbouring nation through the air, sea and land routes, he report mentioned.
However, in May, the variant was detected in Thai travellers who had visited Pakistan, the report mentioned.
Health authorities in Thailand had confirmed the nation’s first instances of the variant first recognized in India in a Thai girl and her 4-year-old son who had been reportedly put in state quarantine since arriving from Pakistan, it mentioned.
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier mentioned that the B.1.617 pressure of coronavirus was present in dozens of nations everywhere in the world.
