New Covid-19 Virus Omicron Variant .

New Covid-19 Virus Omicron Variant .

Now A days, A new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, known as B.1.1.529

It has been called the "Omicron variant" by the World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified a new mutant strain that changes the behaviour of the virus, widely circulating in South Africa as a ‘variant of concern’(VoC), and named it ‘Omicron’ variant.

This B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa. 

The variant is reported on 24 November 2021 after the Network of Genomics Surveillance (NGS-SA) there detected a group of related SARS-CoV-2 viruses, that belong to a lineage named B.1.1.529. 

Technical advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution says this new variant is more widely spread than last VoC, Delta Variant and and can gain immunity offered by current vaccines

 Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution at WHO and the Health organizations around the world monitor the new variants of SARS-CoV -2 .

They try to identify which ones are dangerous or important in terms of transmission and infection among others. 

Some preliminary observations about the new omicron variant are 

The B.1.1.529 has multiple spike protein mutations.

The infection rate is very high. 

According to NGS-SA,the new variant undergone near about 30 mutation and encode spike protein responsible for virus entry to human cells. The expert body has marked B.1.1.529 formed following “very unusual constellations of mutations”.

It is observed from studies,that Some of the mutations were similar to that in Alpha and Delta variants .

These mutations are well characterized by phenotypic impact that can affect immunity and transmissibility.

Other mutations are rarely observed and not well characterized.

 Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said that there is a need of more research to know about its transmissibility and vaccine avoidance characteristics.

The new variant also contains the R203K+G204R mutations related with increased infectivity . 

According to the whole research,WHO finds new variant,Omicron associated with an increase in transmissibility.

There is a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines,diagnostic and available therapies. 

WHO, informed that there are fewer than 100 whole-genome sequences available and his variant has a large number of mutation. 

According to Researchers in South Africa, Researchers are examining the immune escape potential of B.1.1.529 

This will also indicate the performance of current vaccines, therapies on the new Omicron variant.

 

Symptoms for new Omicron variant: 

According to the research of The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),  South Africa, the new variant  shows, “no unusual symptoms”.

It has been reported that Some individuals are Symptomless like Delta virus. 

Precautions for new Omicron Variant : 

1.Wearing Masks . 

2.Maintain Social Distance

3.Keep  good ventilation . 

4.Washing and Sanitizing Hands and surfaces regularly. 

5.Keep your environment Safer.