What do we know about the AY.4.2 sub variant?
According to recent reports, health officials in India are also studying a sub variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus, which is suspected to be the major cause of a new surge in cases in the UK in the last few weeks. Experts say the discovery, which comes as several COVID-19 regulations are being reduced around the world and cases are alarmingly increasing in China, should be viewed as a sign that the pandemic is far from ended.
What is the new corona virus mutation? Where did it come from?
The most recent mutation of the SARS-COV-2 virus, 'AY.4.2,' is a sub-lineage of the pathogenic virus's Delta form. It is currently known as the 'Delta Plus' version. According to leading scientists at Columbia University, as many as 75 AY lineages of corona virus have been identified to date, but the concerning one in question, AY.4.2, is one such sub-variant that is rapidly branching out, and most notably, is deemed to be steadily rising in parts of the UK, which has seen a drastic spike in Delta variant cases in recent months.
According to studies, as many as 63% of new cases in the last month have been genomically analysed and found to carry the AY.4.2 variation. Furthermore, the AY. 4.2 sub lineage has been traced across portions of Europe, including Denmark and Germany, after being discovered in July. Researchers are concerned that the lineage, which belongs to the rapidly spreading Delta variation, could be highly infectious and generate repeat outbreaks over the world.
How is it different from the earlier identified 'Delta Plus' variant?
In recent months, it has been claimed that the Delta Plus variant is a distinct mutation, B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1), which was discovered in states across India. While designated a variant of concern (VoC), it was said to be more dangerous than the Delta variant. While the present mutation is likewise a sub-lineage of the Delta variety.
It has been confirmed as more dangerous in nature because it has been linked to more cases worldwide. However, both corona virus mutations branch off of the Delta variety, raising concerns at a key juncture when vaccine coverage is still inadequate and many people are reverting to pre-pandemic levels.
Is it yet mentioned as a source of concern or interest?
Establishing a variant as a variant of concern (VoC) or variant of interest (VoI) allows experts to dig deeper into the findings and take appropriate action. The current sublineage variant detected in the UK has yet to be labelled as a probable variant of concern or interest, and health organisations in the UK are merely speculating that it is a variant under inquiry (VUC).
What do we know about the symptoms and potential risks associated with this mutation?
Though much is yet unclear about the lineage, specialists believe that its origin from the Delta variety may indicate severe COVID-19 symptoms, be more infectious, and spread more quickly. While the Delta variation of coronavirus is estimated to be 60% more infectious, the AY.4.2 lineage may suffer a similar fate.
There is also little indication that the current variation in question renders vaccine-driven antibodies inefficient or current immunity ineffective. However, current research indicates that the lineage carries a worrying mutation- A1711V- that impairs the virus's Nsp3 protein, which plays a variety of roles in viral replication. It also has two other mutations that may affect the virus's spike protein.
How worried should we be at this stage?
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