According to a new report from officials at the World Health Organization, this new version of the Ómicron variant, officially known as BA.2. It’s a further iteration of the same strain, called BA.1. Which, differs from the previous mutations due to its cellular peak. protein structure.
Having first been identified in December 2021, this variant has fueled infections (including breakthrough cases) in all corners of the world.
Why do they call it the stealth variant?
The sub-variant has quickly earned a nickname, the “stealth” Omicron variant, as officials begin to learn more about its unique characteristics.
So far, data is extremely limited on how this variant works to infect both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. But CNN reports that leading virologists have indicated that early data suggests the “stealthy” Omicron is no more infectious or deadly than its earlier counterpart.
Its nickname comes from the fact that certain laboratory tests cannot register BA.2 in its genetic makeup, according to CNN. Otherwise, the variant works much like Omicron, and experts say there’s no reason for overt panic just yet.
A report published this week by the UK Health Security Agency suggests that current vaccines provide similar protection against the “stealth” variant as they do against the original Omicron infections. More data is expected to be available to US healthcare providers soon as BA.2 accounts for approximately 50% of new COVID-19 cases in Denmark and has become the dominant strain in India. , according to CNN.
The Germany-based GISAID initiative indicates that BA.2 cases in the US have remained at 100 cases in 20 different states as of this week, according to their public data.
BA.2 is even more contagious than the original Omicron
But on the other hand, according to Dr. Michel Martínez, head of the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit and leader of the TecSalud COVID-19 Program. BA.2 is even more contagious than the original Omicron, “Its transmissibility is greater. We are talking about a patient who could infect 20 people.”
However, this does not cause a serious condition and, fortunately, the vaccines are still effective. Therefore, the population is asked to be cautious and find out from reliable sources about what is being said about it.
Symptoms of Omicron BA.2
Given this context, the health authorities have recommended being attentive to the symptoms of the Ómicron BA.2 subvariant, in many cases the first to manifest is a pain or burning in the throat, but the rest can be:
Loss of taste and/or smell
Cough.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Difficulty breathing.
Headache.
Muscle pain.
extreme fatigue
Fever.
How to know that I have Omicron and not a common flu?
Symptoms of a cold include sneezing, nasal congestion and a constant runny nose, peaking on the second and third days while with Omicron, a dry cough is the most common symptom, affecting nearly 90 percent of patients. infected.
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