Although little is still known about the BA.2 subvariant, this new mutation does not appear to be more dangerous than its “cousin” Omicron, according to experts.
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According to preliminary data, the BA.2 subvariant does not cause more severe illnesses than the BA.1 subvariant, responsible for the fifth wave. The vaccines would be equally effective for the two strains of COVID-19.
However, the new subvariant appears to be more transmissible. A Danish study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, suggests that if one person is infected with BA.2, another member of the household has a 39% chance of being infected within the first week. On the other hand, if the person is infected with BA.1, the risk decreases to 29%.
“If BA.2 is more able to be transmitted, it is certain that we could see increases in cases. But it shouldn’t be as striking as between what we experienced at the start of the fifth wave, ”tempers virologist Benoît Barbeau.
Genetic variation
According to the professor in the department of biological sciences at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), the biggest surprise caused by BA.2 is its genetic variation compared to BA.1
It is currently impossible for laboratories to identify the presence of BA.2 using the PCR test. The new subvariant does not have the deletion on the S gene, which made it possible to easily detect the presence of BA.1 without doing sequencing
“To detect BA.2 in the general population, people must have access to PCR tests for sequencing,” argues André Veillette, researcher in immunology at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute.
On January 26, the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec confirmed that it had detected five cases of the BA.2 subvariant in travelers who had transited through Montreal. No new data on this subject has been published since.
What does the future hold for us ?
“The progress of BA.2 must be monitored very closely to see if we continue to move towards a trajectory which is still as positive as ever”, affirms Benoît Barbeau.
Beyond the arrival of BA.2, “what will most influence our achievements are the relaxations that we are making”, believes André Veillette.
“We must not go too fast, the situation is still unstable, with many cases”, he specifies.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com