Omicron virus , is a new variant of the corona virus which is found in South Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Omicron variant has been dubbed the “Variant of Concern” and that “the world has sounded the alarm.”Â
The microbiologists had already says that 32 mutations have been observed in the spike gene on the outer surface of the Omicron variant. According to them, “research and analysis of the virus collected in November under the genetic sequencing of the virus showed 32 mutations in the RNA axes of SARS COV-2 compared to the delta variant Which is three times more than the previous Delta variant of corona. The delta variant has only nine mutations in the Delta variant.
They have said that these 32-time mutated omicron variant could spread rapidly, re-infect, inhibit antibodies and bypass the immune system of our body.
However, this remains to be confirmed by study and research. The speciacilites has assumed that , Due to these many mutations, this Omicron variant cannot be stopped by the current vaccines.
What is COVID 19 Omicron Variant
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified this new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which is names as “Omicron” currently circulating in South Africa, as a ‘variant of concern’.
The Network for Genomics Surveillance South Africa (NGS-SA) had identified this omicron variant which is detected as a group of related SARS-CoV-2 viruses. this Omicron virus belong to a lineage named B.1.1.529.
The COVID omicron variant virus contains 29,000 to 30,000 RNA strands. Its spike protein has 32 mutations on its outer surface.
It is assumed that the antibodies and vaccines made in the body will not work however it has not been confirmed yet. It has been speculated that the mutations could lead to an epidemic thereafter but till now no death occur due to Omicron infection.
Virologist Dr. Luna Bhatt also agrees that omicron variants might be highly contagious due to the large number of mutations. And booster dose is needed to make the vaccine against COVID 19 more effective.
How Omicron started ?
The Mild symptoms have been reported in some parts of South Africa and when look at other parts of South Africa, there are also patients who have been hospitalized due to serious side effects. So the seriousness of the issue is not clear yet.
Are the omicron symptoms different?
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa recently said that “no any unusual symptoms reported with infection of this virus
IN the same way, Dr. Om Bahadur Pun, an infectious disease specialist, says that the Omicron variant has the potential to spread rapidly and re-infect with different type of effects. But the study is yet to be done on how deadly this variant is and whether the current vaccine can prevent it or not
So, the people to strictly follow the public health standards as precautionary measures could lead to epidemics. He said that the border should be tightened from the international airport.
