Scientists at Texas A&M University have identified a new variant of the COVID-19 virus.
The variant, named BV-1 due to its Brazos Valley origins, was discovered at the university’s Global Health Research Complex in a saliva sample from a Texas A&M student in early March, the school said.
Texas A&M said scientists had found only one case of the variant.
“We don’t know the full significance of this variant at this time, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other internationally notifiable variants of care,” said Global Health Research Complex’s lead virologist Ben Neuman. “This variant combines genetic markers that are individually associated with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”
The lab first discovered the BV-1 variant in a sample that tested positive on March 5, the university said. The sample was later retested and confirmed in a federally regulated laboratory.
Officials said the student tested positive again on March 25 before testing negative on April 9.
The university said BV-1 is one of thousands of variants found worldwide and scientists would continue to look for more cases of the variant.
“Sequencing helps to provide an early warning system for new variants,” said Neuman. “While we may not yet understand the full significance of BV-1, the variant emphasizes a continued need for rigorous surveillance and genomic testing, including among young adults with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.”