The variant B.1.1.529 it already has a name. Omicron has put the world on alert due to the fear that it is more transmissible than the variants known so far and that it avoids the effect of vaccines.
This variant has more than 30 mutations, some of them “worrying“and that can lead to a”increased risk of reinfection“, as detailed by the WHO this Friday after analyzing the first preliminary evidence.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, a lead epidemiologist at the WHO, points out that at the moment not many details are known about this new variant, since there are hardly “less than 100 complete genomic sequences available”. However, that “high number of mutations“causes that they are studying its effects in” diagnostics, therapies and vaccines. “
From the WHO, they have called on countries to take measures to stop transmission and also for citizen responsibility: “Everyone has a role to play to reduce transmission. “
Borders closed in several countries
Since the first case detected on November 9, infections have increased significantly in South Africa. Many countries have decided to close their air connections with southern Africa, with Brazil being one of the last to do so.
The European Comission he also proposed to suspend the flights and thus “activate the emergency brake“In addition to a decision already taken by the United Kingdom and Israel. The Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Germany and France have similarly imposed restrictions on passengers from different countries.
According to the first data collected by the WHO, this variant does not have one of the three target genes (which is called abandonment of the S gene or failure of the target of the S gene), which means that PCR “can be used as a marker of this variant “pending confirmation of sequencing.
“Using PCR, this variant has been detected at a faster rate than previous waves of infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage“They warn, however.
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
