The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared the B.1.1.529 strain of the COVID-19 virus, known as Omicron, a variant of concern. This newly discovered strain was first reported in Southern Africa, and it poses potential threats due to a large number of mutations.
The Classification of Omicron
Omicron has joined the ranks of the most alarming COVID-19 variants. This category includes the globally prevalent Delta variant, alongside its less potent counterparts Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. The reason for such concern around the Omicron strain is its substantial number of mutations. These genetic alterations could enable the variant to bypass immunity acquired through prior infection or vaccination. However, the transmissibility rate of Omicron compared to earlier strains of the virus remains uncertain at this time.
Omicron Detection Worldwide
While originating in South Africa, cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in other countries such as Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, caused by travelers from Malawi and Botswana.
Naming the Variant: Why Omicron?
The WHO has adopted a system of naming these variants after Greek alphabet letters. This strategy aims to prevent any potential stigmatization of countries where the variants are first identified. The letters Nu and Xi, which technically should have followed Mu in the Greek alphabet, were skipped. The organization chose Omicron instead, as Nu might have been mistaken for ‘new’, and Xi is a common surname in China.
The Situation in India
In India, seroprevalence studies suggest that a significant portion of the population has already been exposed to the virus, thereby gaining some level of protection against subsequent infections. Additionally, India’s immunization campaign continues to progress, with 44% of adults now fully vaccinated and 82% having received at least one dose. Some scientists argue that a combination of previous infection and one or two doses of a vaccine may offer greater protection than two vaccine doses alone.
Understanding Variants of Concern
Variants of concern are those showing evidence of increased transmissibility, severe disease manifestation, significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies from previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. Such variants could potentially trigger new waves of epidemic transmission. The WHO currently lists five variants of concern: Omicron, Delta, Gamma, Beta, and Alpha.
Variants of Interest Explained
Variants of interest are those that exhibit genetic markers linked to changes in receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies following previous infection or vaccination, diminished treatment efficacy, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increases in transmissibility or disease severity. Currently, two such variants exist: Mu and Lambda.
The Difference Between Mutations, Variants, and Strains
As a virus replicates, it may undergo changes in its genetic sequence, resulting in mutations. When a virus with new mutations emerges, it’s often referred to as a variant. Notably, variants can be differentiated by one or multiple mutations. However, when a new variant develops functional properties different from the original virus and becomes established in a population, it’s sometimes called a new strain. All strains are variants, but not all variants are strains.
Recommended Measures for India
In response to the Omicron variant, India should consider adopting a risk-based and scientific approach to travel restrictions. Furthermore, the emergence of new variants underscores the importance of existing public health measures, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, avoiding crowded places, and ensuring good ventilation. There is also a need to reinforce the significance of biomedical research and capacity building, which have proven essential to saving lives and promoting economic growth throughout the pandemic.