Omicron: New variant classed 'of concern'

A new coronavirus variant got the attention of the world when its first case was reported in South Africa. 'Omicron' 15^th letter of Greek alphabet named to new variant to avoid confusion and stigma in public. World leaders are playing their role to keep people calm and urge them to get vaccinated as soon.

Omicron Variant

Identified in South Africa this coronavirus variant has gotten much attention of scientists and health officials throughout the world due to the unusually high number of mutations that can make the virus more contagious and less vulnerable to existing vaccines.

WHO called it a variant of concern and warned the world about its high risk despite officials multitude of uncertainties. Cases of Omicron have been identified in more than 20 countries including many European countries. The United States has not reported a single case yet, but it’s a matter of time before the variant becomes conspicuous.

Who Should Worry?

Omicron's discovery has prompted substantial apprehensions across the globe. Many countries are banning flights coming from South Africa or the countries where the virus is spreading quickly like Japan, Israel, and Morocco.

Despite no strong evidence about the danger level of Omicron, health officials across the globe are urging people to take precautionary measures.

Although 'Delta' an Indian-originated variant, was considered more transmissible than other variants and there is data that suggests it can cause severe illness in the unvaccinated. There is little evidence it is more lethal that can outsmart current vaccines.

Omicron is a myth yet because much data is not available that can explain its transferability and the level of illness it can cause. There is some evidence that it can cause reinfection in people more readily.

According to Southern African doctors, Omicron symptoms are much mild, quite differing from dominated Delta variant, and can be treated at home.

According to Dr. Angelique Coetzee, hospitals in South Africa are not overwhelmed by infected patients of new variants and most of them are unvaccinated. Most of the patients according to her did not lose their smell and taste and only had a slight cough.

Omicron's rise is later to the point that it could be some time before specialists know whether it is more pathogenic. Coronavirus hospitalizations slack new diseases by about fourteen days or more.

According to scientists, there is no evidence to believe omicron is more impermeable to currently available vaccines, maybe they turn out to be less protective.

They give another reason to remain calm as they expressed confidence they can improvise the existing formulation of vaccines to make shots more effective against this new variant.

Why Scientists and Health Officials are so concerned about Omicron?

As viruses replicate inside people, mutations constantly arise. Most give the infection no new benefit, yet now and then transformations can give the microorganism an advantage by permitting it spread all the more promptly among its human has or avoid the body's resistant reaction.

Scientists in South Africa bang the bells because they found more than 35 mutations in the protein, a component that enables it to bind with human body cells and gain entry into the body. Some samples in South Africa showed more than 50 mutations throughout the virus.

The 'spike protein' is the main target of antibodies to fight COVID-19. With so many mutations raise concerns that this variant might be able to evade antibodies produced by either previous infections or vaccination.

Existing Vaccines

It is hoped that currently available vaccines may be effective against Omicron as they stimulate not only antibodies but other immune cells that can attack virus-infected cells. Mutations in spike protein do not dull that response, which most experts believe is influential in preventing serious illness and death.

Scientists urged people to get a booster dose which can provide additional protection against the variant. Different vaccine producers in the United States and Europe showed confidence in their ability to tailor their formulation to target the variant.

I am totally vaccinated….. Why should I worry about Omicron?

Like Delta, which originated in India, now there is the rise of another worrisome variant in the developing world is indicating the more fundamental problem facing the whole world more than a year and a half into the pandemic.

Wealthy countries are producing vaccines while poorer nations are struggling to obtain them providing a chance for the virus to replicate and mutate among the unvaccinated ones. More opportunities for mutation mean more chances for the virus to become more infectious, immune-resistant, or lethal.

The risk outspreads beyond public health. The resulting economic desolations from this new variant can hit wealthy countries nearly as hard as those in developing countries. Different researches predicted that wealthy countries could face loss of trillions of dollars as poorer countries remain unvaccinated.

Recent travel restrictions due to Omicron have prompted resentment among Africans who believe that developed countries are remaining unfair with them with provisions of vaccines and other life needs.

According to the head of WHO, travel restrictions are quite unfair and counterproductive.

 

 

 

 

Video Credit to CBS News.