Public health officials have reported cases of the new Mu variant in all U.S. states, except Nebraska, according to the Washington Informer.
The variant has been found to have the potential to be more resistant to vaccines than other strains, the officials warned.
Newsweek reported that California has reported the highest number of Mu variant samples, with more than 380 cases, which makes up 0.2% of the total samples sequenced in the state.
The variant was first identified in Colombia in January 2021, which has now spread to more than 40 countries, including the U.S.
On August 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) placed the Mu strain on its Variants of Interest (VOI) list. https://www.myhealthyclick.com/los-angeles-county-reports-167-cases-of-new-mu-variant-of-covid/
However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet made the same classification, per the news outlet.
The variant currently makes up less than 1% of all U.S. coronavirus cases, but it has the potential to be more contagious and be more resistant to vaccines and natural immunity.
Last week, top U.S. health experts said they are “keeping a very close eye” on the Mu variant, but they said it is not an “immediate threat.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House Chief Medical Advisor, said the Mu variant is rarely seen in the U.S., but officials are paying attention to it.
He said, “Even though it has not – in the essence – taken hold to any extent here, we always pay attention to, at all times, variants.”
Dr. Fauci explained that laboratory data suggests that the variant has a “constellation of mutations,” which may allow it to evade certain antibodies, but there is not enough clinical data to support this at present, according to U.S. News.
He said, “Not to downplay it. We take it very seriously. But remember, even when you have variants that do diminish, somewhat, the efficacy of a vaccine – the vaccines still are quite effective against variants of that type.”
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky agreed with what Dr. Fauci said. She made clear that cases of the Mu variant have been seen in the U.S., but “over 99% of the sequences we’re seeing right now are Delta. We’re watching it carefully.”
