GENEVA, Switzerland
The heavily-mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
No
Omicron-linked deaths had yet been reported, though further research is needed
to assess its potential to escape protection against immunity induced by
vaccines and previous infections, it added on Monday.
In
anticipation of increased case numbers as the variant, first reported last
week, spreads, the UN health agency urged its 194 member states to accelerate
vaccination of high-priority groups and ensure plans were in place to maintain
health services.
“Omicron
has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning
for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,” the WHO said.
“The
overall global risk related to the new variant … is assessed as very high.”
Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, sounded the alarm at the start of an
assembly of health ministers on Monday that is expected to launch negotiations
on an international agreement on preventing future pandemics.
“The
emergence of the highly mutated Omicron variant underlines just how perilous
and precarious our situation is,” Tedros said.
“Omicron
demonstrates just why the world needs a new accord on pandemics: Our current
system disincentivises countries from alerting others to threats that will
inevitably land on their shores.”
The
new global deal, expected by May 2024, would cover issues such as sharing of
data and genome sequences of emerging viruses, and of any potential vaccines
derived from research.
European
Union member countries and others had sought language calling for work towards
a treaty, but the United States and some other countries countered that the
substance of any accord should be worked out first before any such document is
given a name.
A
“treaty” would suggest a legally binding agreement that could require
ratification – and would likely incur domestic political haggling in some
countries.
On
Sunday, the United Kingdom’s ambassador in Geneva, Simon Manley, tweeted a copy
of the draft text that was agreed by consensus – as required under WHO rules on
such issues – and praised Chile and Australia for their work as co-chairs.
“The
#Omicron variant shows yet again why we need a common understanding of how we
prepare for and respond to pandemics, so we’re all playing by the same rules,”
he wrote.
COVID ‘is not done with us’
The
draft makes no reference to the word “treaty” but, among other things, calls
for the creation of an “intergovernmental negotiating body” among WHO member
states to work out a possible deal to improve pandemic prevention, preparedness
and response.
The
world should now be “wide awake” to the threat of the coronavirus, “but
Omicron’s very emergence is another reminder that although many of us might
think we are done with COVID-19, it’s not done with us,” Tedros said.
Omicron
was first reported on November 24 in South Africa, where infections have risen
steeply.
It
has since spread to more than a dozen countries, many of which have imposed
travel restrictions to try to seal themselves off. Japan on Monday joined
Israel in saying it would close its borders to foreigners.
The
WHO reiterated that, pending further advice, countries should use a “risk-based
approach to adjust international travel measures in a timely manner”, while
acknowledging that a rise in coronavirus cases might lead to higher morbidity and
mortality rates.
“The
impact on vulnerable populations would be substantial, particularly in
countries with low vaccination coverage,” it added.
In
vaccinated people, meanwhile, “COVID-19 cases and infections are expected …
albeit in a small and predictable proportion”.
Overall,
there were “considerable uncertainties in the magnitude of immune escape
potential of Omicron”, and more data was expected in the coming weeks.
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