New Covid Variant Lambda A Threat For India?

9 Jul, 2021 18:47 IST|Sakshi Post

SARS-Cov-2 has been transformed and is now present in 30 countries.

It appears to be spreading quickly, but there isn't enough evidence to back it

It has been recognised as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization.

The Delta variant, which caused chaos in the country's second phase of the covid period, is now thriving in other nations. In certain nations, Lambda is causing worry. It is, in reality, a recently found variant. 

In August of last year, it was discovered in Peru, a South American country. It has also spread to around 30 nations since then. However, no one has been infected with this new mutant virus in India as yet. The World Health Organization declared it a variant of interest on the 14th of last month (June). Until then, it was referred to as C.37. Since the corona's appearance, this is the seventh variant of interest.

Are we in danger?

In India, as well as the neighbouring nations, the Lambda variant has yet to be identified. In all of Asia, it is only found in Israel. Lambda, however, must be treated with caution due to the existence of the virus in several European nations, as traffic from those countries to India is high. The fact that those who have been vaccinated are more prone to contracting the virus is cause for alarm. It should be emphasised that instances are growing on a regular basis, even in European nations where herd immunity is close to being achieved.

What are the symptoms?

Lambda has been found in more than 30 countries to date. Delta is expected to spread at the same rate as the other variants. However, there is currently no evidence to support this claim. These investigations are currently in progress. In several South American nations, including Peru, the Lambda variant is one of the most commonly reported cases. It's worth noting that this variant accounted for 80% of all cases recorded in Peru at one point. Six people travelling overseas in the United Kingdom were recently infected with the virus. It has been discovered in nations across Europe, including France, Germany, and Italy, as well as Australia.

What is genetic modification?

In the evolutionary sequence of a virus, mutations (genetic mutations) are inevitable. Not all of these mutations, however, are harmful. Lambda has seven major genetic mutations in its horn protein, according to experts. This number is just three in Delta. Because of crucial mutations in the horn protein, which might prevent antibodies from forming, some have suggested that the virus could spread quicker than the delta (either naturally occurring or produced in the body by the vaccine).

A recent study in Chile discovered that the Lambda mutant showed greater antibody resistance than the alpha mutant previously discovered in the United Kingdom and Brazil. Lambda also didn't seem to be reacting to the Chinese vaccination Cyanovac. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that in order to provide a thorough evaluation, the genetic mutations of this variant must be recorded and evaluated on a more comprehensive basis.

whatsapp channel
Read More:
More News