‘Nigerian’ strain of COVID revealed in Kazakhstan

The circulation of the Eta variant of coronavirus (‘Nigerian’ strain) has been detected in Kazakhstan, Health Minister Alexey Tsoi said, Report informs referring to RIA Novosti.

He said the ministry continues to work to identify the circulation of various coronavirus strains in the country. In particular, the Ministry of Health conducted a genetic study of coronavirus infection by sequencing positive laboratory samples obtained from COVID patients in July-August this year.

“The emergence of the Eta strain became known in December 2020, the first cases of the disease were detected in Nigeria and the UK. According to the World Health Organization, as of September 15, 2021, the Eta strain was isolated in 77 countries of the world, according to the WHO category, it belongs to strains requiring observation,” said the minister.

He also informed that the clinical signs of the new strain are the same as those of the Alpha (‘British’) and Beta (‘South African’) strains - high fever, cough, loss of smell and taste, and a more severe course of the disease.