The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that the extensively mutated Omicron coronavirus strain is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that might have “serious repercussions” in some areas.
It stated that no Omicron-related deaths had yet been documented, but that more research was needed to determine whether it might overcome immunity produced by vaccines and earlier infections.
The United Nations organization encouraged its 194 member states to speed vaccination of high-priority groups and ensure procedures were in place to maintain health services as the variation, which was first reported last week, spreads.
“Omicron has an extraordinary number of spike mutations,” according to the WHO, “some of which are worrying for their possible implications on the pandemic’s course.”
“The overall global danger associated with the new variant…has been determined to be extremely high.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus raised the alarm at the outset of a meeting of health ministers that is intended to kick off negotiations on an international pact to prevent future pandemics.
“The appearance of the severely altered Omicron variety highlights how dangerous and fragile our situation is,” Tedros stated. “Omicron exemplifies why the world needs a new pandemic agreement: our existing system discourages governments from warning others about risks that will undoubtedly arrive on their shores.”
The new worldwide agreement, which is slated to be signed in May 2024, would address concerns such as exchanging data and genome sequences of developing viruses, as well as any possible vaccines developed as a result of the study.
‘EXTREMELY HIGH DEMANDS’
Omicron was originally discovered on November 24 in South Africa, where infections have been rapidly increasing.
It has subsequently spread to over a dozen countries, with many imposing travel restrictions in an attempt to isolate them. Japan, like Israel, announced on Monday that it would seal its borders to immigrants.
While conceding that an increase in coronavirus cases could lead to greater morbidity and fatality rates, the WHO emphasized that governments should employ a “risk-based approach to alter international travel precautions in a timely manner” pending additional recommendations.
“The impact on vulnerable groups would be significant,” the report continued, “especially in countries with low immunization coverage.”
Meanwhile, “COVID-19 instances and infections are expected… albeit in a small and predictable percentage” in vaccinated people.
Overall, there was “significant uncertainty in the degree of Omicron’s immunological escape potential,” with additional information expected in the coming weeks.
