An expert has warned that more severe coronavirus strains could be yet to come.
This warning comes as two new variants, known as HV.1 and JN.1, are spreading around the world.
HV.1 has cemented itself as the dominant strain in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, previously told Express.cok.uk that HV.1 seems to be “more transmissible”, but it hasn’t shown the capability of evading vaccine protection or causing more serious illness.
The other new variant, JN.1, is a descendant of Pirola and has recently been found in the UK, US, Iceland, Portugal and Spain.
However, Dr. Bruno Silvester Lopes, a lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University, explained that these two strains might not be the last variants that could appear.
He also added that certain strains might become prevalent in specific countries or regions over time.
Dr Lopes said: “It is important that we monitor the situation closely in the coming months and be aware of it.”
Worryingly, the expert also warned there’s a possibility that a new variant that can cause severe illness or have a higher transmissibility rate will appear.
Dr Lopes said: “Micro-organisms or viruses will always try to adapt to increasing environmental pressures.
“If they are able to evolve, they will do so to survive and cause disease.
“While we are in a phase where we can manage the situation, surveillance and monitoring the prevalence of variants is vital.
“If public health concerns emerge, more research would be needed to tackle a rapidly evolving and highly transmissible strain that can cause severe infection.”