STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— Scientists are cautioning that the Lambda variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is one worth watching closely.

In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a “variant of interest,” meaning it could be more dangerous than the initial strain of the coronavirus. It initially was discovered in August 2020, in Peru, the WHO reported.

Experts say the variant should be eyed carefully due to its prevalence in several countries and its mutations.

Six cases of the variant recently were detected in the United Kingdom, Public Health England announced in late June. All of them linked to overseas travel.

Scientists so far have said the Lambda variant is not as bad as the Delta variant, which is already spreading across the United States.

Although there’s growing concern in the scientific community that the Lambda variant could be resistant to vaccines, according to a recent report.

Though some studies also found that the vaccines were still able to neutralize the virus.