South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has stated that the country has confirmed two new COVID-19[1] variants.
Eye Radio reports that according to officials at the ministry, the variants dubbed as A23.1 and B1.5.2.5 were sequenced at the Uganda Virus Institute.
Out of 46 samples sent to the Institute, nine tested positive for Variant A23.1 which were initially detected in Uganda.
While 26 of the samples tested positive for the UK-Nigerian variant B1.5.2.5, also reported in 26 other countries across the globe.
Only one of the confirmed variants was originally from Wuhan in China.
Dr. John Rumunu, director of Preventive Health Care Services, says the samples were drawn from Juba and Nimule between January and March 2021.
The variants transmissibility mode, he stated, is high and may have caused the second wave the country experienced this year.
“These variants are associated with higher transmission at the borders, their original countries and higher global movement, and probably they were responsible for the second wave in the country,” Dr. Rumunu stated.
S. Sudan has thus far recorded 10,670 positive COVID-19[2] cases and 115 deaths, reported to WHO.
As of May 20, a total of 7,500 vaccine doses had been administered.
(With input from Eye Radio)
Newer articles:
- South Sudan's central bank increases foreign exchange injection to stabilize economy - 25/05/2021 15:49
- WFP South Sudan: 2020 Annual Country Report Overview - 25/05/2021 02:16
- WFP condemns looting of food assistance in greater Jonglei, South Sudan - 25/05/2021 01:57
- South Sudan Returning 72,000 COVID Vaccine Doses - 24/05/2021 12:29
- No safe haven: gay and transgender Africans fleeing persecution at home attacked in refugee camps - 24/05/2021 07:56
Older news items
- Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) accomplished for effective control of zoonotic diseases in South Sudan - 24/05/2021 05:14
- Africa Day: ‘We are free and independent states’ – Ramaphosa - 24/05/2021 00:37
- South Sudan: UN condemns killing of one aid worker and attack against humanitarian convoy in Unity State - 23/05/2021 13:54
- Coronavirus: Refugees in South Sudan begin receiving jabs - 23/05/2021 01:58
- St. Charles fifth-graders raise money for South Sudan water wells - 22/05/2021 15:29
Latest news items (all categories):
- Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, South Sudan slides to bottom overtaking Somalia - 11/02/2025 11:17
- Vacancy Announcements - UNICEF South Sudan (11/02/2025) - 11/02/2025 10:49
- President Salva Kiir sacks two vice presidents and others in a decree today (10/02/2025) - 10/02/2025 19:36
- South Sudan parties adjourn talks in Kenya - 10/02/2025 16:24
- South Sudan becomes 22nd African country to be affected by mpox - 10/02/2025 16:21
Random articles (all categories):
- US chides Sudan, South Sudan for oil export delay - Reuters - 22/01/2013 19:01
- المواطن الجنوبي في الشمال والاستفتاء، هل من مخرج امن؟ - 06/07/2010 08:43
- UN chief in South Sudan says outsourcing of security guards will continue - 11/06/2013 10:51
- Sudan emerges as regional hub for sugar imports, smuggling rife - 26/11/2015 08:19
- UNICEF - Vacancy Announcement: NETI Quality Assurance Specialist (Finance/Administration), P-3, Addis Ababa Ethiopia - 15/09/2015 13:15
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 70899 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22374 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21585 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19362 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19232 times