At present there are thousands of Covid-19 variants circulating all over the world. Mutation in viruses
happens all the time. These mutations or changes mostly harm the virus itself and remain inconsequential. But a select few mutations help the virus survive and spread better. The Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has had an unprecedented spread throughout the world which has helped it create more variants. High circulation causes it to replicate fast and make more changes to penetrate and infect human cells better. In the last few months, many variants of Covid-19 were found in the Indian population, giving stimulus to the country’s deadly second wave.
Many Mutations
The World Health Organization curates a list of those variants that need more monitoring to assess their potential risk under its title of “variants of interest.” It also lists under its “variants of concern” those variants that add significant risk to public health. Currently, WHO recognizes six variants of interest and four variants of concern. The four variants of concern that hold potential risks are –
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Variant found in the UK or Kent (B.1.1.7): This variant emerged in September 2020 in England and has since spread to more than 50 countries with over 200,000 identified cases.
Variant found in South Africa (B.1.351): Originated in South Africa, this variant has spread across 20 countries.
Variant found in Brazil (P.1): This variant first emerged in the Amazon city of Manaus in December and has spread to 10+ countries.
Variant found in India (B.1.617): Originated in October 2020, this variant has spread across more than 44 countries with three versions of its own, namely — B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3.
The various mutations — originating in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and India — have had changes in its spike protein, the part that helps the virus attach itself to human cells. The mutation N501Y, present in the variants present in the UK, South African and Brazil, helps it spread and infect humans better. L452R, a mutation present in the Indian originated variant, might be the reason behind the speed of its widespread circulation. E484K, the mutation present in the variants of South Africa and Brazil, could evade human antibodies which is the very element that helps fight viruses.
Some research suggests that the UK originated variant is 70% more infectious, while Public Health England suggests an estimated danger of around 30% to 50%. Yet it remains the most contagious form of coronavirus. It has been rampant in the UK and Europe. Three-quarters of coronavirus cases in the USA are due to this variant.
It was also noted that the Indian found variant (B.1.617) could be more transmissible (50% faster) with a higher rate of evading antibodies. If this variant could spread 50% faster, it would be 225% more transmissible than the original coronavirus. But WHO says, there is not enough data to suggest the variant’s impact on vaccine effectiveness or its spread. The Health Minister of Singapore, Ong Ye Kung, has said that B.1.617 affects children the most. Again, no study proves or disproves it firmly.
Variants found in India
The variant found in India has been rampant in its spread. Many experts believe this variant is the reason behind the second wave of Covid infections in India. It is also the instigator of cases in Nepal, the UK, the USA along with 40 more countries. The B.1.617 variant was first observed in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. It quickly caught attention for its quick speed of spreading and the possibility of avoiding immune response. Surprisingly, this variant was not the reason behind the surge of cases observed in Mumbai. Experts suggest train reopening along with other lapses to be the reason behind Mumbai’s high cases.
In the northern parts of India, the UK originated variant is rampant. The rising cases in both Punjab and Haryana are due to the B.1.1.7 variant. A study claims that 80% of all Covid cases in Punjab are due to the variant found in the UK. Delhi too observes a large number of B.1.1.7 infected cases. But being the capital, it has observed over 100 variants in its population, many of which are not harmful. In Kerala, the N440K variant is observed. But ironically, the places with this variant notes the least number of cases than the places where this variant is absent.
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Will vaccinations work?
In some lab tests, the vaccination couldn’t neutralize the newer variants of the virus as effectively as it could for the original virus (SARS-CoV-2).
One study estimates that the antibodies would be 80% less potent for the newer mutations. Few observed instances in New Delhi noted Covishield vaccinated health-care workers getting reinfected due to the Indian originated variant. In the case of the B.1.617.1 variant, research shows that antibodies generated by current vaccines are seven times less effective but they are still able to neutralize the threat to some extent. Early data provided on this variant mention that B.1.617.1 can evade antibodies, particularly bamlanivimab.
Even though the current vaccines have a drop in effectively eliminating the virus, it does help the cases to go from bad to worse. Data from Qatar suggests that the Pfizer vaccine works well against the new variants of coronavirus. Full vaccination offered 75% efficiency against the variant found in South Africa, a drop from 95% efficiency from the original virus. South Africa observed 85% protection against hospitalization and deaths with just one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Israel noted 97% protection after taking two doses of Pfizer against the contagious variant found in the UK.
Seeing the drop in efficiency, Moderna has begun tests for boosting its vaccine’s efficiency. In its initial results it noticed that three doses of the original vaccine was not as effective in treating the newer variants, specifically the variant originated in South Africa. On the contrary it notes that the B.1.351-specific vaccine was more reliable. The solution now is to increase the vaccination drive as the current vaccines do help the cases to not get severe. Further, as more research is put there would be more capable and targeted vaccines available that could cure specific mutations.
