Full vaccination ‘most effective weapon’ against coronavirus variants: Expert.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Dr. Ismail Balik, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Ankara University, said that the Mu variant of coronavirus – recently reported in Turkey – as well other variants that may emerge are important regarding the pandemic, but there is no need be concerned as they are closely monitored across the world.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca on Monday announced that two cases of Mu variant were found in Turkey, adding that the ministry does not intend to take any additional measures at the moment.
The Mu variant, which was first seen in Colombia in January 2021, continues to spread in the country, where it accounts for 39% of infections, and in Ecuador, where it accounts for 13% of cases.
Although its global prevalence is less than 0.1%, the variant has been detected in 39 countries to date.
The Mu variant is the World Health Organization’s fifth “variant to watch closely,” Balik underscored, adding that that the virus mutates as it finds a medium of transmission.
The transmission rate of the Mu variant is currently thought to be at least as much as the Delta variant, he said.
