Bangladesh detects Indian coronavirus variant: IEDCR

Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR) has detected an Indian coronavirus variant in Bangladesh.

And in this regard information has been published in global initiative on sharing all influenza data (GISAID) of Germany.

Bangladesh found its first coronavirus-infected patient and death on 8 March and 18 March respectively in 2020.

Microbiologist Senjuti Saha-led team conducted genome sequencing in Bangladesh. The scientist works at Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF).

Citing GISAID, another scientist of CHRF Syed Muqtadir Al Sium told Prothom Alo, the Indian Covid variant B.1.617.2 has been detected in Bangladesh.

Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) submitted the samples collected by Institute for Developing Health Science and Health Initiative (IDHSH).

Syed Muqtadir continued, the GISAID suggested that the variant was detected during 28-29 April this year.

Citing the data, Senjuti Saha told Prothom Alo that the variant did not show the E484 mutation that is linked to higher infection rates. Probably the available Covid-19 vaccine would be effective against the variant, she said.

Senjuti suspected that the Indian variant was transmitted to someone who recently travelled India.

"Public Health England on Friday termed it a variant of concern. So we have to immediately increase surveillance by properly maintaining quarantine, contract tracing and sequencing. We have to be cautious," Senjuti added.