We do not at present know the full significance of this variant, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other internationally notifiable variants of concern, Global Health Research Complex Chief Virologist Ben Neuman said. This variant combines genetic markers separately associated with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.
The lab first detected the BV-1 variant in a sample that tested positive on March 5, the university said. The sample was later retested and confirmed at a federally regulated lab.
Officials said the student tested positive again on March 25 before testing negative on April 9.
The university said BV-1 is one of thousands of variants found worldwide and that scientists would continue to look for more cases of the variant.
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New COVID-19 variant found in US Texas university Xinhua | Updated: 2021-04-20 10:03
Customers leave Walmart in Austin, Texas, US, on March 3, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
HOUSTON A new variant of COVID-19 was found by scientists at the US Texas A&M University, media reported Monday.
The variant, BV-1, was found in just one case: an individual who had mild symptoms, media quoted the Texas A&M scientists as saying.
The patient, a student who lives off-campus, first tested positive on March 5. A second test on March 25 was still positive, indicating the variant may cause longer-lasting infections than other variants, the scientists said. An April 9 test was negative.