Lambda, a new coronavirus variant has been declared as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization (WHO). 31 countries including United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland etc., have reported the cases of this variant. Originated in Peru in December 2020, now this particular variant accounts for almost 82% of the total cases there.

The variant is becoming a concern due to its alterations namely L452Q and F490S as per the health officials in the United Kingdom. Few cases were also seen in Canada recently according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. More information is required regarding its spread and severity as currently there isn’t enough evidence to form solid conclusions but the WHO has declared the variant to be deadly and infectious.

Also read : SARS-CoV-2 VARIANTS AND MUTATIONS

So far no case of the lambda variant has been reported in India as reported by INSACOG (The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium of Genomics). However, it is being closely monitored to understand its transmissibility and response to vaccines. Till now the data suggests that there are as many as 7 mutations in its spike protein. This makes it even more transmissible than the delta variant.  

“We should be watchful as the virus is under pressure across the world. Whenever the virus is under pressure, it picks up certain new characteristics. The full potential of the variant is yet to be ascertained globally as Lambda variant remains a variant of interest, as classified by the World Health Organization,” said Dr. V.K. Paul.