Omicron in Europe Before South Africa Reported First Cases

THE Omicron coronavirus variant was present in Europe before the first cases were reported in South Africa, new data from the Netherlands showed Tuesday, as Latin America reported its first two cases in Brazil.

In the week since the new virus strain was reported to the World Health Organization by South Africa, dozens of countries around the world have responded with travel restrictions – most targeting southern African nations.

But the World Health Organization warned Tuesday – as Canada expanded its restrictions to also include Egypt and Nigeria – that “blanket” travel bans risked doing more harm than good.

And the likely futility of broad travel restrictions was underscored as Dutch authorities reported that Omicron was present in the country before South Africa officially reported its first cases, on November 25.

The new variant – whose high number of mutations the WHO believes may make it more transmissible or resistant