HOUSTON: A new variant of Covid-19 has been found by scientists at the US Texas A&M University, the media reported.
The variant, BV-1, was found in just one case: an individual who had mild symptoms, the Texas A&M scientists were quoted as saying, Xinhua news agency reported.
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.
The student showed mild, cold-like symptoms the first few weeks. The symptoms did not fully go away until April 2.
According to the scientists, BV-1 is related to the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 and has a "potentially concerning genetic make-up" that indicates it might not respond to antibodies.
"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, " said Ben Neuman, the Global Health Research Complex Chief Virologist at Texas A&M University.
"This variant combines genetic markers separately associated with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies, " Neuman said.
Neuman said the scientists will continue to monitor for more cases of the variant.