• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Politics
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Gay Pride
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Gun Control
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Tech/Science
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox

Indian variant is a WHO ‘Variant of Interest’; Magnitude of Outbreak Suggests an ‘escape variant’ coronavirus is sweeping South Asia: EXPLAINER

Towleroad April 30, 2021 Leave a Comment

Indian Variant

 
Published by
Reuters
 
Indian variant

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India has recorded the world’s sharpest spike in coronavirus infections this month, with political and financial capitals New Delhi and Mumbai running out of hospital beds, oxygen and medicines.

Scientists are studying what led to an unexpected surge, and particularly whether a variant of the novel coronavirus first detected in India is to blame. The variant, named B.1.617, has been reported in some 17 countries, raising global concern. Here are the basics:

WHAT IS THE INDIAN VARIANT?

The B.1.617 variant contains two key mutations to the outer “spike” portion of the virus that attaches to human cells, said senior Indian virologist Shahid Jameel.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the predominant lineage of B.1.617 was first identified in India last December, although an earlier version was spotted in October 2020.

The WHO has described it as a “variant of interest”, suggesting it may have mutations that would make the virus more transmissible, cause more severe disease or evade vaccine immunity. Other strains with known risks, such as those first detected in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa, have been categorised as “variants of concern,” a higher threat level.

ARE VARIANTS DRIVING THE SURGE IN CASES?

It’s hard to say.

The WHO says more study is urgently needed. Laboratory-based studies of limited sample size suggest potential increased transmissibility, it concluded.

The picture is complicated because the highly transmissible B.117 variant first detected in the U.K. is behind spikes in some parts of India. In New Delhi, UK variant cases almost doubled during the second half of March, according to Sujeet Kumar Singh, director of the National Centre for Disease Control. The Indian variant, though, is widely present in Maharashtra, the country’s hardest-hit state, Singh said.

Prominent U.S. disease modeller Chris Murray, from the University of Washington, said the sheer magnitude of infections in India in a short period of time suggests an “escape variant” may be overpowering any prior immunity from natural infections in those populations.

“That makes it most likely that it’s B.1.617,” he said. But Murray cautioned that gene sequencing data on the coronavirus in India is sparse, and that many cases are also being driven by the UK and South African variants.

Carlo Federico Perno, Head of Microbiology and Immunology Diagnostics at Rome’s Bambino Gesù Hospital, said the Indian variant couldn’t alone be the reason for India’s huge surge, pointing instead to large social gatherings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been criticised for allowing massive political rallies and religious festivals which have been super-spreader events in recent weeks.

DO VACCINES STOP IT?

One bright spot is that vaccines may be protective. White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said earlier this week that preliminary evidence from lab studies suggest Covaxin, a vaccine developed in India, appears capable of neutralizing the variant.

Public Health England said it was working with international partners but that there is currently no evidence that the Indian variant and two related variants cause more severe disease or render the vaccines currently deployed less effective.

(Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal and Zeba Siddiqui in New Delhi, Emilio Parodi in Milan, Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago and Alistair Smout in Britain; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Peter Henderson and Michael Perry)

Indian Variant: Previously on Towleroad

India: Monkeys Make Off With COVID-19 Blood Samples After Attacking Lab Technician (VIDEO)

India Coronavirus Cases Soaring, U.S. ‘Racing’ to Send Aid ; Severe Outbreak on The Brink of ‘Humanitarian Catastrophe’

Topics: Aaon, towleroad More Posts About: Covid-19, explainer, India, Vaccine

Related Posts
  • US doctors reflect on exhaustion, trauma of one million Covid deaths
  • Omicron Variant BA2: Covid Returns — Is Omicron BA2 Another Wave in U.S.? Do Antibodies All The Earlier Protect Against COVID Variant BA2? And More…
  • Joe Rogan Podcast Goliath Got Big Centering Contrarian POVs For Young Men Who Want Provocative Options To This Being All There Is.
  • Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jodie Foster is to star in season four of ‘True Detective’. The 59-year-old actress – who shot to fame as a child star in Disney hits such as ‘Freaky Friday’ and …Read More »
  • Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Published by Reuters By Mrinalika Roy and Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -Countries should take quick steps to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles, a senior World Health Organization official said …Read More »
  • As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    Published by Reuters MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) – Pro-choice U.S. lawmakers visiting Mexico said Americans are turning to their southern neighbor to access abortions as some states tighten restrictions on the procedure and with the Supreme Court …Read More »
  • Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Published by AFP Country musician Lee Greenwood addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference 2022 in Orlando, Florida on February 27, 2022 New York (AFP) – Country music has long been closely linked to America’s pro-gun lobby, …Read More »
Previous Post: « Beyonce (With Her Mom), and Michelle Williams watched Kelly Rowland give birth on Zoom
Next Post: Update: Isiah Brown’s sister hopes family ‘can get answers’ on police shooting of her brother; ‘We need to figure out why this keeps happening’ »

Primary Sidebar

News

  • U.S. prosecutors get guilty verdict in Capitol riot case, extending win streak

    U.S. prosecutors get guilty verdict in Capitol riot case, extending win streak

  • Harrowing new accounts emerge from Uvalde’s young survivors

    Harrowing new accounts emerge from Uvalde’s young survivors

  • Russia steps up battle for eastern Ukraine

    Russia steps up battle for eastern Ukraine

  • Don McLean, Larry Gatlin Pull Out Of NRA Convention Concert In Texas

    Don McLean, Larry Gatlin Pull Out Of NRA Convention Concert In Texas

Break

  • Johnny Depp rumoured to be signed for ‘Beetlejuice 2’

    Johnny Depp rumoured to be signed for ‘Beetlejuice 2’

  • Abba ‘need to recoup £140m from digital show’ after splashing out on flashy Abba-tars from George Lucas firm

    Abba ‘need to recoup £140m from digital show’ after splashing out on flashy Abba-tars from George Lucas firm

  • Prince William holds future of British monarchy in his hands

    Prince William holds future of British monarchy in his hands

  • Justin Timberlake has sold his song catalogue in a deal reportedly worth 100 million dollars

    Justin Timberlake has sold his song catalogue in a deal reportedly worth 100 million dollars

RSS Partner Links

  • Mask4Masc
  • Jennifer Lopez wants to marry Ben Affleck this summer & she wants a big wedding
  • Dove Cameron Pays Tribute to Late Friend Cameron Boyce on His 23rd Birthday
  • Megan Thee Stallion Kicks Off the Weekend with Hot Yoga Class
  • Hilary Duff Shares Rare Comments About Co-Parenting Son Luca with Ex-Husband Mike Comrie
  • Bo Hopkins, 'American Graffiti' Actor, Passes Away at 80
  • OMG, have you heard? Ms. Juicy Baby released from hospital after stroke
  • Open Post: Hosted By The Man Who Paid Over $15,000 For A Realistic Dog Costume To Fulfill His Dream Of Becoming An Animal
  • Matthew Morrison Is Out As Judge On “So You Think You Can Dance” For Breaking Production Protocols

Most Recent

  • Italy Church’s limited sexual abuse investigation disappoints victims

    Italy Church’s limited sexual abuse investigation disappoints victims

  • Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

  • Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

  • As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

  • Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

  • Protests at NRA convention in Texas, but speakers reject new gun laws

    Protests at NRA convention in Texas, but speakers reject new gun laws

  • Portia De Rossi hails Ellen DeGeneres as her ‘idol’

    Portia De Rossi hails Ellen DeGeneres as her ‘idol’

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Log in