Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Why Has WHO Designated 'Mu' A Variant Of Concern? Find Out All About It

Why Has WHO Designated 'Mu' A Variant Of Concern? Find Out All About It

The possible resistance of this variant makes it risky for the global population.

Following the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the world paid attention to a new variant of the coronavirus. Named Delta, it was blamed for the rapid surge in cases in April-May this year. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said it was monitoring the spread of another variant of interest — Mu. It was first identified in Colombia in January and has since infected people in South America and Europe. Mu's possible resistance to vaccines is what makes it risky for the global population. Now, the WHO has said that more research was needed to better understand its behaviour.

With the latest addition, there are five variants of interest for the WHO — Eta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, and Mu.

Mutations in viruses are not new. All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, undergo change over time. Most of these changes are inconsequential, but some can alter properties to make these viruses more virulent or escape the treatment or vaccines.

What is Mu?


Scientifically known as B.1.621, the WHO designated Mu a variant of interest on August 30, because it might have immune escape properties. It also means WHO considers it worthy of special monitoring but it is still less of a potential threat than the Delta or Alpha strains. Delta and Alpha are more dangerous due to their increased virulence. Mu is not yet widespread across the globe. Its presence of 39 per cent in Colombia and 13 per cent in Ecuador makes it potentially risky.

What does the WHO say?


There have been a few sporadic reports of cases of the Mu variant. Some larger outbreaks have been reported from South America and Europe. Although the global prevalence of the Mu has declined and is currently below 0.1 per cent, the prevalence in Colombia and Ecuador has consistently increased, said the global health body in its weekly update.

What is a variant of interest?


A variant with genetic mutations that affect or can affect the virus's characteristics, such as transmissibility, the severity of the disease it can cause, immune escape, etc is called a variant of interest.

How is it different from the variant of concern?


After meeting the definition of a variant of interest, if it shows increased transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, it is designated a variant of concern. Also, if it is associated with a decrease in the effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, it is a variant of concern, says the WHO.

How are variants named?


The scientific community uses an established system of nomenclature for naming and tracking new variants of a virus. WHO convened a group of scientists, other experts, and agencies to consider easy-to-pronounce and non-stigmatising labels. The experts recommended using letters of the Greek Alphabet – Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta – for now to designate the variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Mu is the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×