OMICRON - NEW VARIANT OF COVID
OMICRON - NEW VARIANT OF COVID (SARS-CoV-2 “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2”)
INTRODUCTION:
• The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the new potentially more contagious Corona virus strain (B.1.1.529) on 26 th November 2021 as one of the primary concerns which is proliferating at a very fast rate and named it as "Omicron," advised by the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Education” (TAG-VE).
• Based on the evidence presented to TAG-VE experts monitored and evaluated the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 as Variant of Concern and the new strain is reported to have a high-rise in number of mutations reportedly 32 mutations in spike protein (Spike protein binds to the host cell receptor and plays a key role in inducing virus-cell membrane fusion, and plays vital role in virus invasion) which are concerning as virus uses them to enter the host cells. The high affinity between S protein and ACE2 receptor (ACE2-known receptor for SARS-CoV, mainly distributed in lungs, heart, kidney, alveolar epithelium) increases infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.
• WHO designated OMICRON as “Variant of Concern”- For SARS-CoV-2, Variant of Concern is a category used for variants of the virus where mutations in their spike protein receptor binding domain substantially increase binding affinity in RBD-hACE2 complex while also being linked to rapid spread in human populations
• The mutations may have an impact on how the new strain behaves for example how easily it can spread among humans and the severity of the disease and how serious it can become.
• The first known and confirmed OMICRON infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021 which is first identified and detected in South Africa.
• Less than 50% of South Africa’s population is fully vaccinated, which could stimulate a rapid spread of cases there as there are lot of people who did not get vaccinated yet.
• As of 28 th November 2021, the new strain has popped up in other countries, At least nine countries have confirmed detecting the super mutated strain. This might be an indication that covid is now endemic.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
South African researchers reported that it is a
• Mild disease as Patient’s are experiencing sore muscles and tiredness for one or two days not feeling well.
• Till now people who were infected did not complain loss of taste or smell.
• Slight cough.
• Admitted people are of age 40 and younger.
There are no eminent/notable symptoms.
According to WHO,
• Preliminary evidence suggested that it has an increased re infection risk when compared to other highly transmissible variants, which indicates that people who were previously infected with COVID and recovered could be more susceptible to get infected by this new variant.
• It is not yet clear whether infection with 'Omicron' causes more severe disease
• There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from other variants of Corona virus.
• The WHO is working with professionals to understand the potential impact of this variant on vaccines.
EFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINES:
• Officials have observed that the new strain is not been identified in vaccinated people.
• Health Professionals are not sure that it spreads faster, makes vaccines or drugs less effective.
• It may definitely possess the ability to bypass some of the protection from vaccines as it has mutated its structure but it cannot escape from all of it.
• The effectiveness of vaccines may get reduced by the new variant, but they will not be rendered ineffective by the new strain.
• Vaccines remain critical and vital to reduce the severity of the disease and death.
EFFECTIVENESS OF TESTS:
• For now, the tests we have currently to detect the COVID i.e., the widely used RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction) continues to detect the infection with OMICRON strain.
• Studies are ongoing to determine the impact of new strain on other types of tests.
EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENTS:
• Corticosteroids
• IL6 Receptor blockers can still be effective
• Other treatments will be assessed to see if they are still effective for the newly emerged strain.
STUDIES TO UNDERSTAND NEW STRAIN:
• There are number of studies and tests ongoings.
• WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the globe to understand the characteristics of new strain in a better way.
• Studies include.
• Transmissibility
• Severity of Infection
• Signs & Symptoms
• Performance of Vaccines
• Diagnostic tests
• Effectiveness of treatments
• Studying the variant could take months to know the depth of the disease.
CONCLUSION:
We will have a lot more information on OMICRON in the coming weeks but as for now,
• OMICRON is easily transmissible, there is not enough information on how dangerous it is as we do not have the clear real-world data, but the large number of mutations indicates that the variant is contagious, but there are no prominent symptoms which prove that the new strain causes a severe disease.
• If we have to stop new strains from emerging and spreading Governments need to ensure on vaccinating the population so that vaccination might help suppress new strains from emerging.
• People should be more cautious and maintain self precautionary measures to reduce the risk of getting infected-Prevention is the key.
REFERENCES
• https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron
N. M. CHANDINI
B. Pharmacy
Clinosol Student ID:279/1021
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