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First case of B.1.617 COVID-19 variant found in Pakistan
The variant was first detected in a Thai woman who had visited Pakistan

First case of B.1.617 COVID-19 variant found in Pakistan

May 29, 2021
06:18 pm

What's the story

The first-ever case of the highly infectious B.1.617 variant of coronavirus, first identified in India, has been detected in Pakistan despite a ban on travelers from the neighboring country since April, the country's top health institute in Islamabad has said. Notably, the World Health Organization has said that the B.1.617 strain of coronavirus has been found in dozens of countries all over the world.

National Institute of Health

Seven cases of variant found in South Africa also detected

The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday shared the results of whole-genome sequencing of SARS- CoV-2 samples collected during the first three weeks of May, The Express Tribune reported on Friday. "The sequencing results confirmed the detection of seven cases of B.1.351 (variant found in South Africa) and one case of B.1.617.2 (first identified in India)," the NIH said in a statement.

Information

Contact tracing of all infected persons is in progress

According to the report, as per the protocols, contact tracing of all the cases is in progress by the Field Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Division and District Health Office (DHO), Islamabad.

Details

Pakistan had banned travelers from India in April

The NIH said that the continued detection of global strains highlights the ongoing need for observation of guidelines, usage of masks, and need for vaccination. After India's outbreak of COVID-19 fueled by the new strain earlier this year, Pakistan in April had imposed a ban on travelers arriving from the neighboring country via the air, sea, and land routes.

COVID-19 variant

Variant was detected in Thai travelers back from Pakistan

"However, in May, the variant was detected in Thai travelers who had visited Pakistan," the report said. "Health authorities in Thailand had confirmed the country's first case of the variant first identified in India in a Thai woman and her 4-year-old son who were reportedly put in state quarantine since arriving from Pakistan," it added.

COVID-19 vaccines

Multiple vaccines have been found effective against the B.1.617 variant

Notably, several reports have pointed out that the separate vaccines produced globally can protect against the B.1.617 strain. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian vaccines—Covishield and COVAXIN, are deemed effective in generating an immune response against the COVID-19 variant, whereas the manufacturers of Pfizer vaccine have also assured "high-effectiveness" of the vaccine against the strain.