Calls Omicron Variant Cause Very High Global Risk, WHO: Has Unprecedented Surge Mutation

JAKARTA - A variant of the Omicron coronavirus is likely to spread internationally, posing a 'very high' global risk of a spike in infections that could have "severe consequences" in some areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday.

The UN health agency urged its 194 member states to speed up vaccination of high-priority groups and, in anticipation of an increasing number of cases, to "ensure mitigation plans are in place" to maintain essential health services.

"The Omicron variant has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerned about their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic," the WHO said.

"The overall global risk associated with the new variant is assessed to be very high," the WHO said

The WHO further explained that to date no deaths related to Omicron have been reported, although further research is needed to assess Omicron's potential to escape vaccine-induced immunity protection and previous infections.

"Increasing cases, regardless of changes in severity, can place great demands on health care systems and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The impact on vulnerable populations will be enormous, especially in countries with low vaccination coverage," WHO said.

As previously reported, this variant was first reported to WHO on November 24 from South Africa, where infections have sharply increased.

It has since spread around the world, with new cases found in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia even as more countries impose travel restrictions to try to shut down.

Japan said on Monday it would close its borders to foreigners, joining Israel in taking the toughest measures.

The WHO in its latest guidance reiterates that countries should use a "risk-based approach to adjust international travel measures in a timely manner". Further advice is forthcoming, says WHO.

"The presence of multiple spike protein mutations in the receptor-binding domain suggests a possible Omicron variant, having a high probability of escaping immunity from antibody-mediated protection. However, the potential for immune escape from cell-mediated immunity is more difficult to predict," said WHO.

"Overall, there is considerable uncertainty in the magnitude of the potential escape immunity from Omicron," the WHO said.

More data is expected in the coming weeks.

"COVID-19 cases and infections are expected to occur in vaccinated people, although in small and predictable proportions," concluded the WHO.