WHO does not rule out presence of British and South African strains of COVID-19 in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, April 6, 2021 . / Kabar / . The World Health Organization (WHO) does not rule out the presence of British and South African strains of a new type of coronavirus in Kyrgyzstan, technical officer of the WHO Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic Kubanychbek Monolbaev said during a press conference at Kabar News Agency asked if new strains of coronavirus have been detected in the Kyrgyz Republic.

He added the transmission of new strains of any infection is very rapid.

"The WHO does not rule out that there are already British and South African strains in the country. In general, it should be understood that any virus enters circulation and undergoes some kind of mutations. According to Rosportebnazdor, more than 50,000 COVID-19 strains were already detected in Russia. The WHO has supplied Kyrgyzstan with new reagents for detecting new strains of the coronavirus," Monolbaev said.

However, head of the Public Health Department of the Health Ministry Ainura Akmatova said no new strains of the coronavirus have been identified in the country yet.

"The Ministry of Health sent samples to Russia and Great Britain in order to determine which strains reside in Kyrgyzstan. We need to send more biomaterial from those previously sent. So far, the presence of new strains of coronavirus in the country has not yet been confirmed," Akmatova said.