BANGKOK (NNT) - Scientists around the world are paying close attention to the development of a new subvariant from the Omicron variant of concern, officially named BA.2. Cases from this subvariant have increased in several countries around the world, with 9 BA.2 cases detected in Thailand so far.

 

The Omicron BA.2 subtype of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is now gaining attention from the scientific community around the world, as it has the potential to replace the original Omicron variant as the dominant strain in the next phase of the pandemic.

 

So far, around 8,400 cases of COVID-19 around the world have been identified as BA.2 infections, with this new subvariant nicknamed the stealth variant, as it is more difficult to discern this subvariant from others using the PCR method.

 

Despite the growing number of cases, there is still insufficient data to suggest whether this subvariant would be more transmissible than Omicron.

 

Nine cases of BA.2 infections have so far been discovered in Thailand, with the first case reported on 2 January.

 

Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the BA.2 subtype differs from the BA.1 and BA.3 sublineages of Omicron due to the lack of spike deletions 69-70, which are mutations on the virus’ spike protein.

 

Dr. Supakit said the DMS will continue monitoring the development of these three subvariants, while data from current monitoring shows no difference between BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, and immune escape.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26

 

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OMG ... not the BA 2

 

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12 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

OMG ... not the BA 2

 

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I know, I think we are all suffering from pandemic fatigue at this point.

 

Very early data from the UK suggests BA2 may be more transmissible than BA1 and with the same medical prognosis, typically mild but with the odd outlier.

 

Grudgingly, I will admit it’s worth keeping an eye on it, as if it is actually more transmissible, it still has some potential to put pressure on healthcare systems. 

Oh look, another variant.

will there never be an end to variants?

18 minutes ago, Pique Dard said:

will there never be an end to variants?

Possibly not. Flu is slightly different I think but that changes every year so the vaccine has to change as well.

Covid may die out but I think for the moment we just have to take as many simple precautions as possible, such as using masks in enclosed busy places to enable the economy and peoples lives to continue as close to normal as possible. In the meantime hopefully the vaccines and other treatments will improve.

"data from current monitoring shows no difference between BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, and immune escape."

 

but let us have a media frenzy about it anyway, because it sells newspapers......

1 hour ago, Pique Dard said:

will there never be an end to variants?

No, just the same as with flu and like with flu we learn to live with it

2 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

will there never be an end to variants?

The issue  is that now we are being made aware of variations by obsessive media  press coverage..It's all getting very silly