A team of South African scientists announced Thursday, November 25 that it had detected a new variant of Covid-19, causing many reactions around the world. It is considered "worrying" by the WHO, which renamed it Omicron. One case has been identified in Belgium.

The B1.1.529 variant was detected two days ago. Its main characteristic is the high number of mutations it carries. It was first reported to the World Health Organization by South Africa on November 24, 2021. "This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are of concern," says the expert group. by the WHO to follow the evolution of Covid-19.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, one of South Africa’s research leaders, is still unaware of the impact these mutations may have. Some of them are already known, and he fears that this variant will prove to be "more contagious and better equipped to deceive the immune defenses of the human body", he declared on the South African news site. Daily Maverick, on a preliminary basis.

"A lot of studies are taking place right now to assess exactly its transmissibility, its severity and whether it may have an impact on tests, treatments or vaccines," says Dr Maria Van Kherkove, who leads the fight against the disease. Covid at the WHO. While waiting to learn more, the world organization asks all countries to speed up sequencing and share information in the event of the appearance of new epidemic foci, reports our correspondent in Geneva, Jérémy Lanche.