The World Health Organization has issued a statement that holds the coronavirus variant from India a global concern. A few preliminary studies have revealed that this particular variant spreads faster. The triple mutant India variant known as the B.1.617 variant has been why health experts around the world have sleepless nights.
The previous variants were detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and then in Brazil. They are B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants, respectively. The Indian variant requires more tracking as well as a detailed analysis than the previous ones. Meanwhile, increased transmissibility is heightening concerns all around the world.
The Havoc From COVID-19 Mutants
The COVID-19 cases in India has reached an all-time high, and the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, might have no other option than to call for a nationwide lockdown for the second time. The daily cases of infections and deaths are indeed problematic, and a lockdown might help flatten the curve, experts believe.
The B.1.614 variant was identified in the country for the first time in December 2020. Since this variant has been found to have spread to India’s neighbors and other countries, movements to and from India have been restricted either till a certain date or indefinitely. The experts state that though increased transmissibility of the Indian variant has been detected, more information regarding the variant, lineages, and sub-lineages is required.
Research In Progress
The chief scientist of the World Health Organization, Soumya Swaminathan, divulged that research is in progress in India to examine and analyze how far is the B.1.617 variant transmissible. The severity of the disease caused by the variant and the way antibodies are responding to it are also being studied in detail. The recent findings suggest that the vaccines do work for B.1.617.
This is the same diagnostics and treatments carried out for the regular coronavirus to work for the variant. Therefore, no changes on that front are required. As per the reports coming in, the World Health Organization is on its way to launch a program titled ‘Together for India.’ This program will appeal to the whole world to raise funds needed to buy medicines and oxygen for the affected and protective gear for the frontline workers.
Word Of Caution From WHO
The concern for the safety of India’s citizens is increasing by the day. The World Health Organization has advised everyone worldwide to ensure that they take all precautions outlined by the health experts and prevent themselves from getting infected. Even though vaccines and treatments are working for the B.1.617 variant, its contagious characteristic is forcing the health community to worry.
This variant has three sub-lineages, as the experts reveal, and is the prime reason why so many people are being infected in India day in and day out. The John Hopkins University has compiled all the data till now, and there have been 2879 deaths every day. That is alarming, and the situation might turn from worse to worst if the government does not act fast.
The Rising Cases
Though the death figures are common knowledge, the international media seems to think that the actual number is much more. However, there isn’t any evidence to justify their apprehension. The John Hopkins University states that nearly 391,000 cases are being reported every day over the past week. This is about a 4% increase from the previous week.
The B.1.617 variant has already spread in other countries, and the United States is among them. People have to be extra cautious this time and follow the precautionary measures religiously not to get infected with the new variant. There is news about a new variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that people in West Bengal are getting infected. The triple mutant strain in the Indian state has been termed as the B.1.618 strain.
The Mutant
A mutation is actually a change in the genetic sequence of a virus. Nearly 4000 mutations have been recorded in the spike protein of the coronavirus. Variant happens to be a virus with a genetic sequence that is different from the parent. A strain is defined as a variant that has many mutations significantly changing their behavior.
Impending Lockdown
Many people were against a lockdown imposition across the nation initially due to the economic implications of a lockdown. However, with the rising cases, a lockdown seems inevitable. In fact, most parts of the country are already going into a lockdown in an attempt to contain the virus spread.
The hope at this point is that these measures and the vaccinations will help curb the COVID-19 spread. Until there is a definite cure, all that people can hope to do is stay indoors, sanitize often, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing.