Amid the rapid surge of cases due to Covid-19 variants like Delta and Delta Plus , a new variant, dubbed Lambda, has emerged as a new threat.
The World Health Organization on June 14 designated C.37 Lambda as a ‘variant of interest’. According to the WHO, Lambda variant was first identified in Peru in December 2020.
WHO on Lambda variant”This variant has been monitored as an alert for an extended period, and upon more information and updated assessments, is now considered as meeting the VOI working definition based upon evidence of continued emergence and suspected phenotypic implications,” WHO said.
Lambda carries a number of mutations with suspected phenotypic implications, such as a potential increased transmissibility or possible increased resistance to neutralizing antibodies, the global health body said in the weekly update.
