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Lankan variant of Delta now officially recognised internationally
A new branch of the Delta variant had now been officially recognised, Prof. Neelika Malavige from the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura said yesterday.
“The Delta with the 3 spike protein mutations (A701S, A222V, A1078S), reported by us, detected in Sri Lanka, has now been assigned a unique lineage, AY.28 and named as B.1.617.2.28, Sri Lanka lineage,” she said.
Prof. Malavige said that they didn’t think the mutation was more transmissible than other versions of Delta and that they were investigating it further.
She said that the mutation emerged in early April although it was only detected by sequencing in May. 50% in Western Province had contracted the mutation.
“During that time we had low vaccination rates. Vaccination reduces transmission and therefore emergence of mutations,” she added. (RK)