Just 10 cases of the strain, which could ultimately be named "Nu", have been detected thus far.
Though, it has already been seen in three nations, saying that the variant is more widespread.
It carries 32 mutations, many of which suggest it is extremely transmissible and vaccine-resistant and has more modifications to its spike protein than any different variant.
Professor Francois Balloux, a geneticist at University College London, announced it probably emerged in a lingering infection in an immunocompromised patient, probably someone with undiagnosed AIDS.
Changes to the spike make it hard for current jabs to fight off, because they instruct the immune system to recognize an earlier version of this part of the virus.
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Dr. Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College who first picked up on its spread, called the variant's combination of mutations "horrific."
He suggested that B.1.1.529, its scientific name, had the potential to be "worse than nearly anything else about" — including the world-dominant Delta strain.
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Scientists told MailOnline, though, that its unprecedented number of mutations might work against it and make it "unstable," checking it from growing widespread.
They announced there was "no need to be overly concerned" because there were no indications yet that it was spreading rapidly.
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Three infections have been discovered in Botswana to date and six in South Africa — where variant surveillance is more robust.
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One case has further been detected in a 36-year-old man in Hong Kong who recently returned from the continent.
There are no cases in Britain. Yet the UK Health Security Agency, which took over from Public Health England, announced it closely monitored the situation.
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The Prime Minister's official spokesman explained that the variant was "not seen as something that is an issue" for the UK at present.
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The mutant variant has sparked anxiety because of its "very extensive" collection of mutations.
Professor Francois Balloux, a geneticist at University College London, announced it was likely the variant would be much more able to dodge antibodies than Delta.
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He told MailOnline: "For the time being, it should be closely monitored."
"But there's no need to be overly concerned, unless it starts going up in frequency."
He explained its many mutations implied it could have emerged throughout a lingering infection in an immunocompromised person as an AIDS patient.
In patients with weakened immune systems, infections can linger for months because the body simply cannot fight them off.
This gives the virus time to acquire mutations that enable it to get around the body's defenses.
Scientists previously announced that the Kent "Alpha" variant may have emerged in this way.
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