Researchers from the Butantan Institute identified a new strain of the coronavirus, called BN.1.3.1, derived from the Ômicron variant, in the state of São Paulo.
According to Butantan, the variant arose from the mutation of a protein that plays a considerable role in the replication of viral RNA. The underscore was identified in the country between between November 9 and December 7, 2022.
In total, 36 BN.1.3.1 samples have already been sequenced in the state, 26 by the Center for Viral Surveillance and Serological Assessment (CeVIVAS), coordinated by Butantan, four by the Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto and six by the Dasa Laboratory.
Initially, the underlining was detected in Portugal, in September 2022. In the world, 1,050 sequences of the strain were registered, the majority in Denmark, with 634 samples.
Of the 26 sequencing carried out by CeVIVAS, 24 cases were registered in São José do Rio Preto, in the interior of São Paulo, one in the capital and one in Ribeirão Preto, also in the interior of São Paulo.
Butantan experts Alex Ranieri and Gabriela Ribeiro assess that BN.1.3.1 is not strong enough to cause concern.
“The BN.1.3.1 subline hasn’t seen any growth lately, so it’s not a closely monitored lineage. It is monitored because it is the Ômicron variant, but not as closely as BQ.1 or XBB.1,” says Alex.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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