Indian Covid-19 variant: Community transmission in Bangladesh confirmed
Government research confirmed community transmission of the Delta variant, popularly known as Indian variant, in the country and it also found one unidentified variant of coronavirus.
The Delta variant was dominating the coronavirus transmission in the country as 40 of the 50 samples tested turned out to be the Indian variant.
Since the first case of Indian variant was detected in the country on May 8, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research and Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) has completed genome sequencing of 50 samples of coronavirus.
Among the Delta variant infected patients, 14 had not gone abroad and did not come in contact with people with travel history.
"So, community transmission of Delta variant exists in Bangladesh," found the study.
Contacted, Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of IEDCR, told The Daily Star that the Indian variant is spreading in the community and people have to follow the health guidelines to reduce transmission.
When asked about the unidentified variant, Tahmina said, "Its source was not identified. We are investigating and we can give details once the investigation is complete."
A top official of the DGHS wishing not to be named said the Indian variant was transmitting fast. Only eight of the 50 sample were of the Beta variant, South African variant.
Strain of one sample could not be identified.
The Delta variant was found in samples collected from Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bagerhat, Jhenidah and Pirojpur.
Out of 16 samples collected form Chapainawabganj, 15 were Delta variant, and all seven samples from Gopalganj was the same Indian variant, the study found.
All three samples collected from Khulna were Indian variant while two out of four samples collected form Dhaka was of Delta variant.
The Indian variant was first detected in October last year. It is far more transmissible than the virus's previous strains. World Health Organisation has termed the variant "variant of concern".
Comments