First ‘recombination’ variant of the coronavirus, merging elements of Delta and Omicron, allegedly detected in Israeli samples. The strain, combining two sub-variants of the Omicron type of the Covid-19 virus — named BA.1 and BA.2 — was recorded during PCR tests on two individuals arriving at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport.
Israel has registered two cases of a new Covid-19 strain; the country’s Ministry of Health stated on Wednesday. “This variant is currently unknown around the world,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that, it will continue to closely monitor the issue.
“The two cases of the combined strain, which have been detected so far, suffered from moderate symptoms of fever, headaches, and muscle dystrophy, and do not require a specific medical reaction,” the statement further said.
Israel’s pandemic response leader, Salman Zarka, said that at present the new COVID-19 variant doesn’t seem to be a significant one. “The phenomena of mixed variations is widely established. At this moment, we are not afraid about it developing to serious instances,” Zarka added.
According to the most recent official numbers, over 1.4 million cases of Covid infection have been officially registered in Israel to far, including 8,244 deaths.
On the immunization front, more than four million people have received three coronavirus vaccine doses in the country.
Israeli experts say that this variant is par for the course. “The emergence of the variant isn’t surprising — and neither is the fact that it would reach Israel from Europe, as there is lots of travel to Tel Aviv,” immunologist Prof. Cyrille Cohen, of Bar Ilan University, told The Times of Israel.
WHO’s View on New Co- Variant
World Health Organization COVID-19 technical lead, epidemiology Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist, spoke about the variant last week, noting a stain that combines Delta and Omicron. She stated that it has been identified in a few nations, including France and the Netherlands, although at low levels.
The strain has been in circulation in Europe for roughly two months, and so far, has not shown symptoms of spreading quicker, according to Van Kerkhove, but this is currently under research. The World Health Organization (WHO) has frequently asked to the world community to expedite the immunization effort against coronavirus.
COVID-19 vaccinations will prevent infection and transmission, in addition to giving protection against severe sickness and death. The development of pan SARS-CoV-2 or pan-sarbe co virus vaccines, as well as the development of vaccines that are able to elicit mucosal immunity, may be desired choices, but the timescale for their research and manufacture is uncertain, the WHO recently said.
Edited by-Subbuthai Padma
Published by-Iram Rizvi
