COVID-19 Update / New variant of Corona found in India AY.1, again increased concern

The Delta Variant of Corona Virus (B.1.617.2) has changed its form once again. This new variant B.1.617.2.1, which has been named 'AY.1' in easy language. These variants are now spreading slowly in many countries including India. Scientists of the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) say that Ay.1 Variants are the properties of hiding from the immune. This can be partial or completely pathogenic by interrupting the body's immune response, vaccine and antibody therapy.

So far, 156 sample of this variant has come out around the world. Its first sample was found in Europe in March. For the first time in India, the variants came out in the month of April. According to Upload data on GisAid, 8 samples have been found in India so far.

Three of these samples found in India and the rest of Tamil Nadu are one of Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. This mutation of AY.1 in the spike protein of the virus has been identified by the name K417N. These mutations were also present in Beta Variants (B.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.131) found in Brazil.

Igib's scientific Vinod Scaria said in a tweet, "It is very important to understand this changing variants. On a large scale, the virus through new mutations has tried to spread and avoid the immune. The agency public health England is also keeping an eye on the K417N mutation. Here at least 35 cases have been revealed by this variant. Out of this, two patients had both doses of vaccine. However, the news of any death has not come out.

According to the researchers of Igib, the data indicates that two different groups of people infected with AY.1 variants are already present. A small group with Spike Mutation A222V is from the US state California. At the same time the second group is large, which is Spike Protein Mutation T95i in eight other countries including UK, India and Nepal.

A Tweeting a tweeting of Igib said, "Looking at the big (T95i) cluster, it seems that Ay.1 has been independently generated and in which the facility of genomic surveillance is limited. Can spread more. '

Jolly said, "K417N has the increased capacity of the virus which specializes in avoiding immune systems. Looking at any other emerging mutation, seeing the Varianon of Concern Delta is very important. ' At the same time, Scarya said that these mutations of this virus can also disrupt the monoclonal antibody therapy.

Chairman of the National Expert Group of Vaccine Administration of Covid-19, Doctor VK Paul said in a press conference, "This new variant is not going to worry. We do not know much about it yet and are studying it. It also includes the case of India. '