People are worried about this after new cases of kappa variant of Corona came to the fore. After Uttar Pradesh, now 11 cases of Kappa variant have been reported in Rajasthan. Earlier, two cases of Kappa variant have also been reported in UP. In such a situation, there are different types of questions in the minds of people regarding the Kappa variant.
First of all, let us tell you that like Delta, Kappa has also emerged from two changes meaning double mutant of corona virus (kappa variant of covid 19). It is also called B.1.617.1. NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul has already given a statement on the concerns being raised about Kappa. He had said that this variant of Corona is not new, it was already present.
At the same time, when Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad was asked a question after getting Kappa cases in UP, he said that there is nothing to worry about. This is just a different variant of Corona, which can be cured.
The Kappa variant was first found in India in October 2020. Then on 4 April 2021, it was placed in the Virus of Interest (VOI) category. Now understand what is the meaning of virus of interest (voi and voc difference). The WHO has currently placed 8 variants of the corona virus in different categories. Of this, four are viruses of interest and four are viruses and concerns. The virus is monitored in the interest category, which also includes kappa. The second i.e. virus and concern means that this variant is spreading rapidly and is a matter of concern. These include alpha, beta, gamma and delta.
When a mutation changes the structure of the virus and its behavior is different from the rest, then it is monitored. In such a situation, if the new variant that comes, starts spreading the infection, then it is kept under watch. To keep an eye on any such virus, it is kept in the Variant of Interest (VOI) category. To fall in this category means he is in the eyes of scientists. Clinical data is collected on it, its infection rate, how deadly it is, it is all seen.
Like the rest of the corona variants, the kappa variant has symptoms. These include fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, body aches, headache, dry mouth, etc. In some cases, watery eyes and nose, red marks on the body have also been seen. To avoid any variant from corona, it is necessary to wear a mask and follow social distance.