A heath official has expressed concern that the Delta of the three Covid-19 variants could reduce the potency of some vaccines as it spreads quickly and causes severe illness.

“Eleven people have been infected with new Covid-19 variants. Two were infected with the Alpha variant and five with the Delta. These two are variants of concern. Four other people were infected with the Kappa, variant of interest. Delta cases are more and it is the Indian strain. The infection rate is very fast and it can also cause severe illness. It can reduce the potency of some vaccines. So I are concerned about the Delta variant,” said an official from the ministry of health and sports.

According to lab tests conducted by the Defence Service Medical Research Center on June 3, Myanmar has seen 11 people infected with the new Covid-19 variants—one in Kalay, three in Myeik, four in Mandalay, two in Tamu and one overseas returnee in Yangon.

Those new variants were originally found in India, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Switzerland.