A sub-version of Omicron, revealed a few weeks ago, and followed very closely by scientists, is already a matter of concern to experts. According to the data available to date, this would raise more alert than worry and put the question of vaccination adherence back on the table.

“The BA.2 sub-version of Omicron is not a new version, but a sub-version of the same line from Omicron. The BA.1 sub-version that has been in effect for a few weeks and this sub-version is called BA.2 It is said to belong to the same lineage, but has about thirty more mutations than the “original” oomicron, including about ten on the spike protein, which allows the virus to enter the human cell and which is used for vaccines. There is also a goal”, emphasizes Dr. Tayyip Hamdi, physician and researcher in health policies and systems.

This sub-version is suspected to be more transmitted than the “native” omicron ba.1, which itself is already highly contagious and is responsible for these large waves that affect many countries, he continues.

Recall that BA.2 was first detected in China on 31 December and today it is already present in more than 40 countries, including Israel, USA, Canada, Denmark, Australia, South Africa, Great Britain and France Huh.

“This planetary spread is the first indicator of high transmission potential. In Denmark, the transmission rate doubled in a span of 3 weeks, going from 20% to 45% of the known type. And when Denmark experienced a slowdown of the Omicron wave. Should experience, it suddenly resumed, certainly under the influence of BA. 2. Scientists also believe that the persistence of the wave in France beyond forecast can be linked to this subsidence. We can add.

According to the expert, even if the screening tests are effective in detecting infection by this sub-variant, it evades screening by PCR, which is an intermediate method between a normal PCR that detects variants and longer and longer sequencing. does not recognize. Gives an accurate mapping of the structure of the virus with all its mutations.

And to add that some screening kits take BA.2 for Delta, others take it for Omicron version BA.1. Monitoring of the spread of BA.2 is affected pending the update of appropriate kits, but sequencing clearly remains effective in surveillance.

“BA.2 is more contagious than Omicron and will spread rapidly globally within a few weeks. With an escape from the virus and an immunity that will be similar to Omicron, this sub-variant is likely to affect the evolution of the pandemic.” Not likely, but will make the current waves more pronounced and longer than expected”, he underlined.