The WHO warns of the dangers of substrains of the omicron variant

Epidemiologist and technical officer responsible for fighting Covid-19 at the World Health Organization, Dr. Maria von Kerkow reported an increase in the diagnosis of Omicron infection worldwide, emphasizing more than 5.7 million cases. The World Health Organization was told last week that, and what data these cases have reached, there are fewer cases on the ground because global surveillance activities, including analysis and testing, have dropped dramatically.

Dr. Maria explained that there are many subspecies of the Omicron variant and they are classified as Omicron and all of them are listed as types of concern, explaining that the WHO specifically monitors the BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.75 types.

Worrying and very common

In the 75th episode of “Science in Five” hosted by Vismita Gupta Smith and aired by the World Organization on its official sites, Dr Maria said and reiterated that there are now many subspecies being monitored by WHO scientists globally. All subspecies of the omicron variant are classified as variants of concern. Each substrain of the omicron variant and each iteration of SARS-CoV-2 is of concern to the World Health Organization because the virus is spreading more aggressively globally, Dr. Maria said.

About Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 substrains Dr. Maria said this is the most spreadable variant we’ve seen so far, and that BA.5 has a distinct growth advantage over other substrains discovered.

Same intensity and intensity

Regarding severity, Dr. Maria said that there was no increase in the severity of the effects in those infected with PA.5 compared to other substrains such as PA.1 and PA.2. The extent of global assessment capacity, that is, assessment based on data available to the World Health Organization, collected by surveillance authorities, medical professionals and the public worldwide, is increasingly limited. .

High death toll

He wanted to point out that currently there are very few sequences for BA sublineage 2.75, but it is still a concern, noting that there has been an increase in the proportion of people with BA. 5 has been developing over the past four weeks and is expected to continue on this trend, especially as some countries experience an increase or new wave of SARS-Cove-2 activity.

and Dr. Maria has recently expressed concern to the World Health Organization due to the high level of deaths in recent weeks, with about 10,000 cases reported per week, which is actually a very high number, and there are mechanisms and tools that can actually be reduced. Increase in deaths.

Lack of access to vaccines

Dr. Maria Van Gerkov explained that the virus is constantly evolving and there is uncertainty about how the virus will change over time, and there are some clues about it, but we don’t know for sure, and the risk it poses. Even more so as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to claim more lives.

As for public opinion, people really want to overcome this epidemic, but the risk is still there, says Dr. Maria, explaining that a large part of the reason for the continued risk is the lack of access to vaccines around the world. , as there are billions of people around the world who have not received the full course of vaccination.

To avoid increased risk

2.5 years after the pandemic, billions of people are still at risk of severe and severe Covid-19 and death. We must continue to strive to reduce the spread by keeping people safe and the safety of others by strictly following precautions including wearing protective masks, good ventilation, getting vaccinated and spending more time outside. Dr Maria also advised anyone who is sick to work from home and follow home isolation procedures to protect his family and surrounding communities.