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India
oi-Prakash KL
The Union Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare has issued solutions to Often Requested Questions (FAQs) on Omicron, the brand new variant of COVID-19, categorized as Omicron (B.1.1.529) by the WHO on twenty sixth November 2021.
It comes a day after two new instances of Omicron variant was detected in India.
What’s Omicron and what makes it a variant of concern (VoC)?
It’s a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has lately been reported from South Africa on twenty fourth November 2021 known as as B.1.1.529 or Omicron (primarily based on Greek alphabets like alpha, beta, delta and many others). This variant has proven a really giant variety of mutations, particularly greater than 30 on the viral spike protein, which is the important thing goal of the immune response.
Given the gathering of mutations in Omicron, which earlier individually have been related to elevated infectivity and/or immune evasion, and the sudden rise in variety of constructive instances in South Africa, World Well being Group has declared Omicron as a Variant of Concern (VoC).
Can the at the moment used diagnostics strategies, detect Omicron?
Essentially the most accepted and generally used methodology of diagnostic for SARS-CoV- 2 Variant is RT-PCR methodology. This methodology detects particular genes within the virus, similar to Spike (S), Enveloped (E) and Nucleocapsid (N) and many others to substantiate the presence of virus. Nevertheless, in case of Omicron, because the S gene is closely mutated, a few of the primers could result in outcomes indicating absence of the S gene (known as as S gene drop out). This explicit S gene drop out together with the detection of different viral genes could possibly be used a diagnostic characteristic of Omicron. Nevertheless, for closing affirmation of the omicron variant genomic sequencing is required.
How involved ought to we be in regards to the new VoC?
WHO declares a variant as a VoC after evaluation when there’s enhance in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; OR enhance in virulence or change in medical illness presentation; OR lower in effectiveness of public well being and social measures or accessible diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics. (Supply: WHO)
You will need to spotlight that Omicron has been declared VoC primarily based on the noticed mutations, their predicted options of elevated transmission and immune evasion, and preliminary proof of detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, similar to elevated reinfections. The definitive proof for elevated remission and immune evasion is awaited.
What precautions ought to we take?
The precautions and steps to be taken stay identical as earlier than. It’s important to masks your self correctly, take each doses of vaccines (if not but vaccinated), preserve social distancing and preserve good air flow to the utmost doable.
Will there be a 3rd wave?
Omicron instances are more and more being reported from nations exterior of South Africa and given its traits, it’s more likely to unfold to extra nations together with India. Nevertheless, the size and magnitude of rise in instances and most significantly the severity of illness that can be triggered remains to be not clear. Additional, given the quick tempo of vaccination in India and excessive publicity to delta variant as evidenced by excessive seropositivity, the severity of the illness is anticipated to be low. Nevertheless, scientific proof remains to be evolving.
Will the present vaccines work in opposition to Omicron?
Whereas, there is no such thing as a proof to recommend that current vaccines don’t work on Omicron, a few of the mutations reported on Spike gene could lower the efficacy of current vaccines. Nevertheless, vaccine safety can also be by antibodies in addition to by mobile immunity, which is predicted to be comparatively higher preserved. Therefore vaccines are anticipated to nonetheless provide safety in opposition to extreme illness and, vaccination with the accessible vaccines is essential. If eligible, however not vaccinated, one ought to get vaccinated.
How is India responding?
Indian authorities is monitoring the state of affairs intently and is issuing appropriate pointers infrequently. In the meantime, the scientific and medical group is equipped for growing and deploying diagnostics, finishing up genomic surveillance, producing proof about viral and epidemiologic traits, and growth of therapeutics.
Why do variants happen?
Variants are regular a part of evolution and so long as the virus is ready to infect, replicate and transmit, they are going to proceed to evolve. Additional, not all variants are harmful and most frequently than not, we do not discover them. Solely when they’re extra infectious, or can reinfect individuals and many others they achieve prominence. An important step to keep away from era of variants is to scale back the variety of infections.
Supply: WHO and MoHFW
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