Deadly South African Covid-19 strain B1 351 and Nigerian variant B.1.525 have been confirmed in Uganda along with new registered cases, Government has confirmed.
The Gov’t has warned that the two covid-19 variants are more deadly and contagious than the usual virus.
However, Prof Pontiano Kaleebu, the executive director of Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), said there is relief for now since a few people were reported to have been infected with these strains adding that for now, Ugandans should not be worried.
Asked whether these strains will have an effect on the Covid-19 vaccine, Prof Kaleebu said they will continue watching and tracking.
Uganda rolled out its vaccination campaign against Covid-19 and by March 23, at least 32,526 people had been vaccinated, according to Ministry of Health data.
This comes a month after the country registered a different strain, A3, which was first seen in some infected people in northern Uganda.
However, this strain has also been reported in other countries in Europe, USA, and Rwanda.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Variant 501Y.V2 also known as B1.351, was first identified in South Africa and has now been detected in at least eight African countries.
Currently, government through UVRI is still establishing the source of these strains into the country.
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