Omicron: the latest variant with vast mutation

The most recent variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been named as Omicron, after the 15^th letter of the Greek alphabet with the same name. This variant was first reported to the World Health Organization on the 24^th of November 2021, from South Africa.

"The variant has an unusually large number of mutations, several of which are novel, and a significant number of which affect the spike protein targeted by most COVID-19 vaccines at the time of discovering the Omicron variant. This level of variation has led to concerns regarding its transmissibility, immune system evasion and vaccine resistance."

क्या है Genome Sequencing जो Omicron Variant पकड़ रही? Genome Sequencing in hindi | Omicron Newsgram

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As a lot of data is still not available on this version, so there is a lot of speculation, which resulted in a number of countries introducing travel restrictions. But still Omicron has spread to over 50 countries, as of 7^th December 2021.

Scientists and researchers from all over the world are trying to understand whether the existing vaccines would be effective on this variant or not. All countries are not using the same vaccines so results are bound to be different. Doctors and researchers are trying to compare it with the previous variants in order to understand its transmissibility and vaccine efficacy. Doctors in South Africa saw that the Omicron is milder than the Delta. Even though it is spreading faster, a smaller number of people are likely to be hospitalized.

Also Read : It's crucial to protect children by vaccination

Europe has currently become the epicentre of the Omicron surge. Denmark with 1280+ cases now have almost one-third of all the Omicron cases worldwide. In India, the number is currently at 37. In United Kingdom, the number has crossed 1000. While in America, cases were at 43 in the first eight days of December.

The virulence or the severity with the virus attack's someone's body varies from person-to-person. It depends on whether the person has some pre-existing medical conditions and to what extent. But so far, the cases of Omicron have been mild.

Doctors and researchers are trying to compare it with the previous variants in order to understand its transmissibility and vaccine efficacy.Pixabay

The following is a general list of symptoms for coronavirus and there could be more ones which have not been detected yet. The symptoms is divided into three sections based on their severity.

Less common symptoms –

• sore throat
• headache
• aches and pains
• diarrhoea
• skin rash or discoloration of fingers or toes
• red or irritated eyes

More common symptoms –

• fever
• cough
• tiredness
• loss of taste or smell

Serious symptoms –

• difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
• chest pain

Wearing mask/s at public placesUnsplash

Researchers feel that because there are over 30 mutations in the spike protein, it may escape vaccine immunity and that is probably why it is spreading so fast.

The World Health Organisation and other doctors and researchers all across the globe are trying to understand this new variant but there is no concrete information right now.

US drug maker Pfizer on Wednesday announced that a third dose of its mRNA vaccine can protect against the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Results from an initial laboratory study demonstrated that serum antibodies induced by the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) neutralises the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after three doses.

We should continue following the rules that we have been since the beginning of the pandemic in order to be safe ourselves and also to keep our loved ones safe–

• Wearing mask/s at public places
• Trying to maintain social distancing wherever possible
• Clean our hands
• Cover our nose and mouth with our bent elbow or tissue while coughing or sneezing
• Get fully vaccinated
• Stay at home if you feel unwell
• Getting a check-up done if we feel we have the symptoms

(Keywords : Omicron, COVID, government, World Health Organisation, world, mask, vaccine, social distancing.)