A version of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>variant that has been detected in India is spreading more rapidly in the UK than in other nations, according to a report.&nbsp;

Public health experts have also suggested in the UK that this variant known as B.1.617.2 should be listed as a "variant of concern", the BBC reported.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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So far, the variants first detected in Kent, Brazil and South Africa have been deemed as "variants of concern" in Britain.&nbsp;

The original variant from India, known as B.1.617 was first detected in Britain in October.&nbsp;

The report said over 500 cases of B.1.617.2 are believed to be found in England with the highest levels detected in London and the northwest of England.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-sets-yet-another-record-with-over-414000-new-covid-19-cases-death-toll-stands-at-234083-383383">India sets yet another record with over 414,000 new COVID-19 cases; death toll stands at 234,083</a>

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the B.1.617 variant has been found in more than a dozen countries, but refused to confirm whether it is deadlier or transmissible.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, India has said the B.1.617 strain may be responsible for a deadly second wave that has severely affected the country in recent weeks.&nbsp;

India on Friday reported a record 414,188 new cases, taking the total tally to 21,491,598.

With 3,915 new fatalities, India's death toll stands at 234,083.

A version of the coronavirus variant that has been detected in India is spreading more rapidly in the UK than in other nations, according to a report. Public health experts have also suggested in the UK that this variant known as B.

A version of the coronavirus variant that has been detected in India is spreading more rapidly in the UK than in other nations, according to a report. Public health experts have also suggested in the UK that this variant known as B.1.617.2 should be listed as a "variant of concern", the BBC reported. Watch | So far, the variants first detected in Kent, Brazil and South Africa have been deemed as "variants of concern" in Britain. The original variant from India, known as B.1.617 was first detected in Britain in October. The report said over 500 cases of B.1.617.2 are believed to be found in England with the highest levels detected in London and the northwest of England. Also read | India sets yet another record with over 414,000 new COVID-19 cases; death toll stands at 234,083 The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the B.1.617 variant has been found in more than a dozen countries, but refused to confirm whether it is deadlier or transmissible. Meanwhile, India has said the B.1.617 strain may be responsible for a deadly second wave that has severely affected the country in recent weeks. India on Friday reported a record 414,188 new cases, taking the total tally to 21,491,598. With 3,915 new fatalities, India's death toll stands at 234,083.

Version of Covid variant first detected in India spreading rapidly in UK: Report

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

The UN&nbsp;health&nbsp;agency said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database "from at least 17 countries".&nbsp;

"Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA, and Singapore," the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic.

The WHO recently listed B.1.617,&nbsp;which counts several sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics, as a "variant of interest".

But so far it has stopped short of declaring it a "variant of concern".

That label would indicate that it is more dangerous that the original version of the virus by for instance being more transmissible, deadly or able to dodge vaccine protections.

India is facing surging new cases and deaths in the pandemic, and fears are rising that the variant could be contributing to the unfolding catastrophe.

The explosion in infections in India, 350,000 new cases were recorded there on Tuesday alone -- has driven a surge in global cases to 147.7 million.

The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide.

The WHO acknowledged that its preliminary modelling based on sequences submitted to GISAID indicates "that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility".

It stressed that other variants circulating at the same time were also showing increased transmissibility, and that the combination "may be playing a role in the current resurgence in this country."

"Indeed, studies have highlighted that the spread of the second wave has been much faster than the first," the WHO said.

It highlighted though that "other drivers" could be contributing to the surge, including lax adherence to public&nbsp;health&nbsp;measures as well as mass gatherings.

"Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors," it said.

The UN agency also stressed that "further robust studies" into the characteristics of B.1.617 and other variants, including impacts on transmissibility, severity and the risk of reinfection, were "urgently needed".&nbsp;

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries. The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database "from at least 17 countries". "Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA, and Singapore," the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic. The WHO recently listed B.1.617, which counts several sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics, as a "variant of interest". But so far it has stopped short of declaring it a "variant of concern". That label would indicate that it is more dangerous that the original version of the virus by for instance being more transmissible, deadly or able to dodge vaccine protections. India is facing surging new cases and deaths in the pandemic, and fears are rising that the variant could be contributing to the unfolding catastrophe. The explosion in infections in India, 350,000 new cases were recorded there on Tuesday alone -- has driven a surge in global cases to 147.7 million. The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide. The WHO acknowledged that its preliminary modelling based on sequences submitted to GISAID indicates "that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility". It stressed that other variants circulating at the same time were also showing increased transmissibility, and that the combination "may be playing a role in the current resurgence in this country." "Indeed, studies have highlighted that the spread of the second wave has been much faster than the first," the WHO said. It highlighted though that "other drivers" could be contributing to the surge, including lax adherence to public health measures as well as mass gatherings. "Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors," it said. The UN agency also stressed that "further robust studies" into the characteristics of B.1.617 and other variants, including impacts on transmissibility, severity and the risk of reinfection, were "urgently needed".

Covid virus strain first detected in India found in at least 17 countries: WHO

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Version of Covid variant first detected in India spreading rapidly in UK: Report

Covid virus strain first detected in India found in at least 17 countries: WHO