A veteran public health expert warned top Indian officials in early March that a new variant of the coronavirus was spreading quickly in a rural district in Maharashtra and that the outbreak required urgent attention.
Federal health authorities failed to respond adequately to that warning, Dr Subhash Salunke, who has 30 years of experience in public health in India, Indonesia and the US, told Reuters.
Advertisement
The variant, now known as B.1.617, triggered a catastrophic wave of coronavirus cases in India and has since spread to more than 40 other countries. In May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) termed it a “variant of concern”, citing its high transmissibility.
Experts say India missed early alarm and let deadly coronavirus variant spread
japantimes.co.jp - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from japantimes.co.jp Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Experts Say India Missed Early Alarm, Let Deadly Coronavirus Variant Spread
science.thewire.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from science.thewire.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Health Experts Say India Missed Early Alarm, Let Deadly Coronavirus Variant Spread
thewire.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thewire.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Health experts say India missed early alarm, let deadly coronavirus variant spread
reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.