Another new variant of the coronavirus different from others reported have been found in Nigeria.
Al Jazeera reported that the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), made the disclosure on Thursday, December 24.
John Nkengasong, the head of the Africa CDC, said the new variant is not similar to the type discovered in the UK and South Africa.
He stated that further analyses of the samples were being conducted by the Nigeria CDC and the African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases to learn more about the new virus.
The UK Independent reported that Nkengasong said the alert about the apparent new COVID-19 type was based on two or three genetic sequences.
The official stated that the variant was found in two patient samples collected on August 3 and on October 9 in Osun state, Nigeria.
He however stated that more time was needed to learn about the new disease.
He said, “Give us some time … it’s still very early.” The Africa CDC however stated that unlike the UK variant which is highly contagious, observation has not seen any evidence that the Nigerian variant contributed to the increased transmission of the virus in the west-African country.”
