(CNN) – The coronavirus variant first identified in the UK could affect ‘the epidemic curve’ and lead to ‘a more restrictive approach to social and public health measures’ in Europe, if it becomes the dominant species on the continent. This was warned on Thursday by the World Health Organization senior emergency officer for Europe.
Speaking at a WHO press conference, Catherine Smallwood said variant B.1,1.7, commonly known as the “British species” or “Kent species,” is now circulating in more than half of all countries.
“Specific to the European region is the continued proliferation of another form of care, the B.1,1.7 line, first identified in the UK and now clearly circulating in communities in more than half of the countries in the region . That particular variant, especially in Western European countries, is spreading faster than other genders, ”he told reporters.
Smallwood cautioned that current restrictions in Europe may not be enough to suppress the B.1,1.7 variety once it becomes the dominant species in the region.
“Once it becomes dominant, it could affect the overall epidemic curve and lead to the need for a more restrictive approach to social and public health measures to be applied in order for transmission rates to drop.”
Smallwood’s comments followed a stern warning from Sharon Peacock, director of the Covid-19 Genomics UK consortium, who told the BBC on Wednesday that the strain B.1,1.7 “is likely to take the world”.