This archive report was first published on 28 May 2021.
On May 17, routine samples collected in Kisumu revealed a mystery variant of coronavirus that could be specific to Kenya, according to the Health ministry.
The strain, which is still under investigation, has characteristics of both Indian (B.1.617) and the UK (B.1.1.7) variants.
Dr Francis Kuria, the director of public health at the ministry, noted that the variant still needs further characterisation and that scientists are sequencing to determine whether it truly falls under the variants of concern.
"But, having two variants in one could be more lethal," Dr Kuria said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized the need for vigilance, stating that since the new variant was not imported, more measures are required to stop it.
"We are going to upscale contact tracing in the country so that we prevent the new variant from spreading," Kagwe said.
According to the World Health Organisation, a mutant becomes a variant of concern when it has a clinical or public health significance that affects its spread, severity, effectiveness, and testing.
Prof Matilu Mwau, a researcher at Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), noted that it is normal for viruses to mutate and that no one should be surprised if countries are discovering new variants.
