March 25, Kathmandu. No school-age children have been diagnosed with the BK-19 UK variant (B1.1.7).


Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control (EDCD) Dr. See Krishna Poudel's children and 0-year-old young men Bean Infection UK variant (B1.1.7) search is a similar palette. However, Red can be certified by Sequining Nepal.

According to Poudel, it is suspected that there may be a new variant as S gene has been seen in some of the infected people found recently. "We don't have that much data, but the sampling we did did not show S-genes in children," said Dr. Poudel.

Nepal connection of a new form of virus

So far, three variants of the corona virus have been found, B1.1.7 in the UK, B1.135 in Africa and P1 in Brazil.  In Nepal, only the UK variant has been confirmed.

On December 13, five people who had traveled from the United Kingdom were infected with Covid-19. At that time, a new variant (B1.1.7) of the corona virus was confirmed in the UK. Other European countries also strictly adhered to public health standards, saying the threat would increase.

Five swabs were collected and sent to the World Health Organization's lab in Hong Kong for gene sequencing on suspicion of infection with a new variant. And, the UK variant was confirmed in its report.

in contact tracing of that person tested positive for the new variant. He was tracked by a man returning from the UK.

Since the S gene was not seen in the infection found last time, it may be of UK variant. Poudel explains.

Why not gene sequencing?

Since gene sequencing is very expensive in private sector labs, the head of EDCD, Dr. Poudel explains. According to him, gene sequencing technology and kits will be needed separately. Gene sequencing can be done in government labs soon," says Poudel.

Along with the laboratory, an expert team from Tribhuvan University Microbiology Lab, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has also joined hands for gene sequencing.

What does the new variant mean?

Public health experts say that one should be careful when finding a new variant but not panic. Public health expert Sharad Vanta says that a new form of corona virus can be developed in Nepal as well. He says the virus can change its form long after the infection has spread.

Dr. Vanta is also a virologist with the argument. Sameer Mani Dixit agrees. 

According to him, it is normal to change to a new form as the corona virus has been spreading for a long time. He says it is not uncommon for it to look different in the UK.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Prabhat officials also said that it was normal for the virus to change its structure after the epidemic had spread for a long time. "A newer form of the virus may be seen in the UK,

According to him, since the rules to be followed to avoid the virus are the same, the criteria must be followed.