Scientists are tracking the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible omicron’s cousin, BA.2. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Here’s what we know about BA.2 subvariant
BA.1 or the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 is causing havoc across the world. The variant is now the reason behind the majority of cases globally. After all, several nations are noting a dramatic surge in infections. However, researchers are studying the increasing cases of BA.2 in several parts of Asia and Europe. It is currently showing the potential of outrunning the BA.1. According to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database, as of January 25, 98.8 percent of sequenced cases submitted were from the omicron variant. However, the data revealed that several nations are reporting an increase in the BA.2 subvariant.
In addition to omicron and its cousin, the World Health Organization (WHO) is also observing the rise in other omicron subvariants. Subvariants BA.1.1.529 and BA.3 are also genetically close to the other two. However, their mutations dictate their behavior. “BA.2 represents roughly 82% of cases in Denmark, 9% in the UK and 8% in the United States, based on his analysis of sequencing data from the GISAID database and case counts from the Our World in Data project at the University of Oxford,” reported Trevor Bedford. Bedford is a computation virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
Major differences between the two subvariants
According to researchers, the BA.1 version of Omicron is easier to track compared to its predecessors due to a missing target gene used in the common PCR test. Hence, cases that show the pattern are assumed to be a BA.1 case by default. However, Omicron’s cousin is also known as a stealth subvariant for a reason. Unlike BA.1 it does not have the missing target gene. hence, researchers are monitoring it just like the Delta and other variants, by tracking the genomes submitted to databases. “As with other variants, an infection with BA.2 can be detected by coronavirus home tests kits, though they cannot indicate which variant is responsible,” revealed the experts.
Some reports indicate the stealth subvariant is more infectious and transmissible. But, there is no strong evidence that it can evade vaccine protection. Danish health officials are estimating it to be 1.5 times more transmissible when compared to BA.1. However, it is based on preliminary data. But, it also states that it is likely less severe.
“A critical question is whether people who were infected in the BA.1 wave will be protected from BA.2. That has been a concern in Denmark, where some places that saw high case counts of BA. (Alprazolam) 1 infections were reporting rising cases of BA.2,” stated Dr. Egon Ozer. Dr. Ozer is an expert of infectious disease at Chicago’s Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “this could be sort of a two-humped camel kind of wave. It’s too early to know if that will happen. But, the good news is that vaccines and boosters can keep people out of the hospital. And keep people from dying,” he assured.