News Desk :
The South Africa variant of the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has taken over as the most dominant variant in Dhaka, according to a recent study by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b)
The study, conducted from March18-24, analysed the genomic sequence of 57 samples from Covid-19 patients and found that over 80% (46 samples) matched the South Africa variant, according to media reports.icddr,b researchers also analysed the genomic sequence 30 samples from March 5-11, and 99 samples from March 12-17. The South Africa variant was not found from March 5-11, but it matched 64% of the samples from March 12-17.
“We observed that the South African variant became the most prevalent variant during the third week of March by replacing the UK variant and others. Our findings warrant continuous monitoring of genetic variations of SARS-Cov-2, which is crucial for vaccine effectiveness and patients management,” said icddr,b senior scientist Dr Mustafizur Rahman as quoted in an English daily.
The iccddr,b is continuing genomic sequencing of samples collected after March 24, he added.
The first case of the South Africa variant in Bangladesh was detected on February 1.
Experts from the Gonoshasthaya-RNA Molecular Diagnostic and Research Centre, Jahangirnagar University microbiology department and Brac University pharmacy department confirmed the variant after sequencing the genome of clinical samples.
