Haven’t associated the term 'Indian Variant' with B.1.617: WHO

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 12

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The WHO on Wednesday said it does not identify viruses or variants with the names of countries they are first reported from.

“We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency,” the WHO said in a tweet tagging media agencies that associated the WHO as using the term Indian variant for B1617.

WHO does not identify viruses or variants with names of countries they are first reported from. We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency. @PTI_News @PIB_India @ANI @timesofindia @htTweets @IndianExpress @the_hindu @MoHFW_INDIA

— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) May 12, 2021

“Several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an “Indian Variant”. These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded.

This is to clarify that WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in its 32 page document,” the world body said.

It said the word “Indian” has not been used in its report on the matter.