The Indian variant of the coronavirus is considered a threat by the WHO

The World Health Organization has reported that the coronavirus variant identified in India appears to be more transmissible and could partially evade the action of vaccines

(image: Pixabay) From variant of interest to variant of concern. Thus the World Health Organization (WHO) officially reclassifies the coronavirus variant B.1.617, identified in India but now widespread in over 30 countries around the world. Experts report that from preliminary studies it seems that the Indian variant is transmitted more easily than the original strain and that it is able to partially evade the action of vaccines. More details will be published in the next few hours, but more research is needed.

Media briefing on # COVID19 with @DrTedros https://t.co/6SISISeZOT

- World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 10, 2021

Variant of concern

Until last week B.1.617 was just one of 10 coronavirus variants that WHO experts were keeping an eye on. However, some preliminary data obtained in vitro (in studies not yet peer-reviewed, therefore still to be evaluated) would reveal a greater transmissibility of this variant, which would have proved to be even more resistant to the neutralizing action of the antibodies produced by the current anti- Covid. These suspicions, for WHO experts, are strong enough to dictate a reclassification of the Indian variant, to be considered a possible threat to world health.

We still need more information on B.1.617, reiterated Maria Van Kerkhove of WHO at a press conference: it is necessary to sequence more viral genomes in cases of Covid-19 in order to understand more about diffusion, contagiousness and mortality of the three subtypes of this variant. In this way it will also be possible to establish whether B.1.617 is really responsible for the deadly pandemic wave that is raging in India.

In #India 's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, the state gov. has initiated house-to-house active case finding of # COVID19 in rural areas to contain transmission by testing people with symptoms for rapid isolation, disease management & contact tracing

👉 https://t.co/pbDi98UByQ pic .twitter.com / 7H2yXcU0if

- World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 10, 2021

What's changing

Reclassification of variant B.1.617 must not panic. Citizens must continue to follow the recommendations to reduce the risk of getting sick that are also valid for the other disturbing variants already widespread (English, South African, Brazilian). Vaccines remain an effective tool for preventing severe cases and deaths from Covid-19.


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Topics

Coronavirus India Health Variants Sars-Cov-2 globalData.fldTopic = "Coronavirus, India , Health, Sars-Cov-2 Variants "

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