(CNN) – The World Health Organization has classified the Covid-19 variant B.1,617, which was first identified in India, as a variable of concern, the WHO technical leader for covid-19 said during a press conference on Monday.
The designation of the “variant of concern” indicates that the specified variable may show, among other indicators, evidence of greater transmissibility or evidence of greater severity.
“There is some information available that indicates a higher transmissibility of 1617B,” said Maria Van Kerkhove.
The World Health Organization said it will publish more information about the alternative in its case report on Tuesday.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on its website currently classifies the variable B.1,617 as a “variable of interest.” CNN contacted the CDC to see if it had immediate plans to reclassify B.1,617 as a “variable of concern” in the United States.