Central group issues advisory as multiple Covid-19 virus subvariants detected ahead of Diwali

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Omicron sub-variants such as the BF.7 and recombinant variants such as XBB, are spreading fast.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, recombinant is the process in which the genomes of two SARS-CoV-2 variants (that have infected a person at the same time) combine during the viral replication process to form a new variant that is different from both parent lineages.

The BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron continues to be the dominant one across the globe, accounting for 78.9 percent of sequences, followed by BA.4 descendent lineages (including BA.4.6), which accounted for 6.7percent; and BA.2 descendent lineages (including BA.2.75), which accounted for 3.9 percent.

But in India, BA.2.75 continues to cause most of the infections. However, scientists warn that several other variants could cause severe infection in the country.

Here are the major variants which have been found in India and can cause severe infections:

BF.7

The Omicron subvariant BF.7 was first detected in Northwest China. The sub-variants are responsible for the recent surge in that country. It is extremely fast spreading and has already been detected in the United States, the UK, Australia and Belgium.

One case of Omicron BF.7 has been reported from India by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. This new Omicron BF. 7 is also known as the ‘Omicron spawn.’

It can cause severe infection among masses since Omicron BF.7 is able to dodge antibodies from earlier infection or vaccinations.

Symptoms

• Sore throat
• Chest congestion
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Runny nose

XBB

XBB, a BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 recombinant with 14 additional mutations in the BA.2 spike protein, has been reported by 26 countries. XBB has caused a rapid spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore and other south-east Asian countries. This variant was first detected in the US in August.

Based on the available preliminary laboratory-based evidence, WHO said XBB would be the most antibody-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variant identified to date.

However, WHO added that while the recombinant shows signs of higher growth advantage as compared to other Omicron descendent variants, there is no evidence of any change in disease severity.

This variant has been found in in Maharashtra, Kerala and other parts of the country.

Symptoms

• Cough
• Cold
• Low-level fever
• Sore throat
• Body aches

“According to available data, the variant has a lot of mutation, especially in the receptor binding domain. The outer surface protein is leading the immune invasion which will eventually evade immunity built over the time through vaccination and Covid infection. This is the reason cases has gone up in Singapore. Till now, Maharashtra and Kerala has reported it but we will get more information on the variant in the country after the Diwali season,” Dr Pavithra Venkatgopalan Virologist told South First.

Dr Sandeep Gularia, former director of AIIMS, said the variant would keep mutating.

“But the situation is now different. Earlier, there was no vaccination. People are now vaccinated. But this doesn’t mean that people will stop taking precautions. Festival season is coming up and cases are also rising,” he said in a statement.