The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday classified a new COVID-19 variant from South Africa as a variant of concern, which means it could be more contagious, cause more severe disease, and reduce the efficacy of vaccines and treatments.

WHO convened an independent group of experts on Friday to assess the new variant based on the rapid increase in COVID-19 infections in South Africa this week. Known scientifically as B.1.1.529, the variant was named Omicron.

"Omicron has some concerning properties. This variant has a large number of mutations, and some of these mutations have some worrying characteristics," Maria Van Kerkhove, PhD, WHO's technical lead on the coronavirus pandemic, said in a video statement.

"Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other [variants of concern]," WHO said in a statement. "The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa."

In response, the White House announced new travel restrictions for flights from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Foreign nationals from those countries will be prohibited from entering the United States.

"These new restrictions will take effect on November 29," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises."

US Monitoring for Variant

The United States hasn't detected any cases of the new variant yet, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. 

Cite this: New COVID Variant of Concern Drives US Travel Bans - Medscape - Nov 26, 2021.