The World Health Organization says it is keeping an eye on a new COVID-19 form with mutations that could make it vaccine-resistant.
The Mu variant, also known as B.1.621, was placed on the organization's watch list on Monday as a "variant of interest."
According to the report, "the Mu variant possesses a constellation of mutations that signal potential immune escape capabilities."
Preliminary evidence suggests it may avoid immunizations in a similar way to the Beta type, but scientists say further research is needed.
The Mu variety has been found in at least 39 countries since it first appeared in Colombia in January 2021. "Although the global prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has declined and is now below 0.1 percent," the agency said, "the prevalence of the Mu variant in Colombia (39 percent) and Ecuador (13 percent) has consistently increased," adding that the increase could be due to increased genetic sequencing.
Concerns about the new strain arise as the highly contagious Delta variation has resulted in an increase in cases around the world.