Faster spreading BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron confirmed in Tamil Nadu, Telangana

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The presence of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant of coronavirus have been confirmed in India with two cases being detected in Tamil Nadu and Telangana.</p>
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The BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron have been associated with the fifth Covid wave in South Africa and recently the US and Europe have also reported cases.</p>
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In a statement on Sunday, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said a 19-year-old woman in Tamil Nadu has been found infected with the BA.4 sub-variant of the virus.</p>
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The patient has shown only mild clinical symptoms and has been fully vaccinated. She had no travel history.</p>
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In another case, an 80-year-old man in Telangana has tested positive for the BA.5 sub-variant of the virus. He has shown only mild clinical symptoms and has been fully vaccinated. The patient had no travel history.</p>
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Earlier, a South African national was reported positive for the BA.4 sub-variant of Omicron on arrival at the Hyderabad airport.</p>
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Scientists are concerned about two mutations that both the sub-variants carried on their receptor binding domain which makes the virus better able to evade the antibodies from previous infection or vaccination.</p>
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The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) last week designated the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants as variants of concern, anticipating “a significant overall increase in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks and months.”</p>
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According to ECDC, the variants could fuel increases in infections, with a 12 per cent to 13 per cent growth advantage over the Omicron’s BA.2 sub-lineage.</p>
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<strong>Also read:  <a href="http:// https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/two-new-omicron-variants-pose-danger-of-triggering-next-covid-wave-168055.html">Two new Omicron variants pose danger of triggering next COVID wave</a></strong></p>