Morocco Monitors New ’Mu’ COVID Variant, Experts Say Risk Remains Low

The Organization stated that the "Mu" variant would have mutations that could make it more dangerous, due to the various mutations it presents and because it would resist vaccines. "The Mu variant has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune evasion," the bulletin notes, adding that further studies were needed to better understand the new variant.

"Although the global prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has decreased and is currently less than 0.1%, the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) has consistently increased," the WHO said. The spread of this variant, which first appeared in Colombia, is still very low globally, noted the medical researcher in health policies and systems in Morocco, Tayeb Hamdi.

To date, the Delta variant remains predominant worldwide. To date, the "Mu" variant "poses no risk to Morocco or the vast majority of countries in the world. Although this new variant needs to be monitored and vigilance is required, it is not a source of concern for us in Morocco," he said.

The official also points out that "studies continue to define the Mu variant. Experts are not very concerned, given that the Mu transmission rate remains minimal. The data indicates that out of every 1,000 new cases detected worldwide, only one case is due to the Mu variant".