Delta variant of COVID-19 and Why we should concern about it?
The whole world is vaccinated now but some are vaccinated for the first dose and few vaccinated for both doses. Everyone thinks if we are vaccinated fully we are safe and we get into normal lives. But COVID-19 has other plans.
In the trend of risk assessment of SARS-COV-2 variants, PHE(Public Health England) says 61% of samples sequenced -- Delta variant(B.1.617.2). This variant is detected by India. It is more prone to the UK. Last year Alpha variant surged in the UK. Now comparing with these variants delta variant is more transmissible and it spreads faster than the alpha variant.
Different variants are characterized by mutation or alterations within the virus’s genetic material. As RNA virus, like SARS-CoV-2, is formed of about 30,000 base pairs of amino acids, placed like bricks next to every other.
An alteration in any of the amino bases causes a mutation. It will alter or change the shape and nature of the virus. The delta variant contains many mutations in the spike protein. There are four main mutations:
· L452R-First reported in Denmark
· P681R-reported in PHE
· D614G-reported in the early UK, but later circulated in Europe.
· T478K-Detected in Mexico and current delta mutations now. It is very high infectivity.
What is delta variant coronavirus?
The World Health Organization features a new naming system, using the Greek alphabet, for coronavirus variants of concern. The Delta variant was previously referred to as the "Indian variant" because it was first found in India. It's one among three sub-lineages of the Indian variant and is additionally referred to as B.1.617.2.
What is the difference between this delta variant or other variants?
In the first wave, we suffered from a wild type of strain virus. Later on, the second wave is far worse in India with a new mutation(Alpha variant). Now by sequencing with new coronavirus patients, different mutations have occurred. Now, one of the major mutations is in the delta variant.
Symptoms of delta variant:
Symptoms of the variant are said to be high severe than that of COVID-19. Specifically, the variant has been linked to gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and appetite loss, also as deafness, gangrene, and blood coagulation, consistent with the Times of India and other local media.
Is it delta variant more deadly?
Early evidence suggests the Delta variant could cause a high risk of hospitalization as compared to the Alpha strain, in line with Public Health England (PHE).
If the mutated virus will again mutate or even worse:
Yes, of course, it will mutate more and it started already. In the case of delta variant, it is transmitted to partially vaccinated people and has a high chance of catching the virus and risk of further mutations. It is very less for fully vaccinated people will be caught on the virus.
Is it worse for children or not?
So far, the new mutant alpha variant causes more on adult people, now there is a chance of delta variant will cause to children. We need to be more cautious about this. we need to take preliminary steps before vaccination for children.
Due to other variants, there are many re-infection happened, except for delta variant, it'll be less re-infection, PHE says. So, we should follow all regulations at this time to prevent mutant coronavirus.
Now, newly delta variant plus is identified. The new delta variant is formed due to mutation in the delta variant or alpha variant. It is first identified in India. The new mutation(K417N).This new variant is still low in India. This new variant is identified by Dr. Vinod scaria(CSIR-IGIB).
There is still research going on for delta-plus variant. No need to worry as of now.
Delta is severe or delta plus severe? we should compare these two studies to identify the most transmissible for current pandemic.
Stay tuned to this blog.
Picture-Wikipedia resource.
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