The B.1.351 variant of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in South Africa, has reportedly spread in 23 African countries.

This was recently disclosed by the Regional Virologist of World Health Organisation, Dr. Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi.

The virologist indentified the affected Africa countries as Kenya, Cameroon, Cote D’ ívoire, Malawi, Mauritius, Togo, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles and Tanzania.

The PUNCH quoted Gumede-Moeletsi as saying that the strain presented the same symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, and breathing difficulty, among others, regular with the original COVID-19.

This is just as health experts called for caution among Nigerians and the Federal Government following report that the strain has hit neighbouring countries.

Gumede-Moeletsi noted that social distancing, hand washing and wearing of face masks were recommended as preventive measures to curb the spread of the variant in the affected countries.

“The cases have decreased in South Africa. It indicates that the country has managed to contain the virus. There is a decrease in the number of hospitalisations and severe cases.

The country is doing a tremendous job in controlling the spread of this particular strain.’’

Earlier, The WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said during a virtual press conference during the week facilitated by the APO Group that new variants placed the continent at risk of a third wave.