The World Health Organization (WHO) has again issued a warning regarding the Delta variant (B1617.2) which was first identified in India. WHO said that this variant is highly contagious, including the type of variant that is the fastest, and strongest ever .
“(Delta variant) is becoming more lethal because it is more efficient in the mode of transmission between people. And eventually it will find vulnerable individuals who will become seriously ill, have to be hospitalized and potentially die,” said the Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program , Dr Mike Ryan, quoted from CNBC, Tuesday (22/6/2021).
Therefore, Dr Mike asked world leaders and public health officials to immediately donate and distribute vaccines.
“This Delta variant is faster, more ‘fitter’, will select the more susceptible more efficiently than the previous variant. And, therefore if anyone is left without vaccination, they are still at worse risk,” explains Dr Ryan.
Since May 2021, WHO has classified the Delta variant as a ‘Variant of Concern’ or VoC. This is because the Delta variant is proven to be more contagious than the original variant identified in Wuhan, China.
WHO technical officer for COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said this variant had spread in 92 countries. This includes the United States, the United Kingdom, and also Indonesia.
In addition, Maria revealed that there were reports that this Delta variant could cause more severe symptoms, although further research is needed. This variant is also called can trigger different symptoms from other variants.
“None of the variants really found the combination of high transmission and mortality. However, the Delta variant is the most capable, fastest, and strongest virus of the viruses,” explained Maria.
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