Governments are taking precautionary measures to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak in China and scientists are monitoring the developments
The most contagious sub-variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has emerged to date, HBV.1.5, and the new severe wave of coronavirus in China are worrying scientists. Governments are taking preventive measures to deal with the outbreak of Covid-19 in China and scientists are monitoring developments, as the possibility of a new mutation of SARS-CoV-2 arising from the infection of millions of people in China is not negligible, reports Nikos Tzanakis Professor of Pulmonology, University of Crete School of Medicine.
“Since the outbreak of infections in China, what is troubling is the possibility of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 appearing, the probability is small but not zero,” says Mr. Tzanakis, who considers the increased surveillance sought by various countries to be justified , but emphasizing that emphasis should be placed on genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in aircraft effluent involving direct flights from China.
He estimates that testing (antigen rapid detection test, or molecular testing) all travelers on direct flights from China 48 hours before their departure will do nothing, as they may incubate, test negative and then become ill .
“The tactic of “zero cases” implemented by China was a failure and it created the problem that exists now in the country”, notes the professor. Regarding the immunity offered by the Chinese vaccine, he states that due to the lack of epidemiological data, hospitalizations, intubations, deaths, we cannot predict what is happening and how effective it is. “But it seems that it was of low effectiveness. He has not undergone the suffering of the rest of the vaccines that we did.”
The hypertransmissible subvariant ChBB.1.5
Scientists are troubled and worried by the new sub-variant of the “Omicron” mutation, ChBB.1.5, which is spreading at a rapid rate. It is estimated that, due to HBV.1.5, infections in the US double about every two weeks. The new Omicron sub-variant has already been detected in 29 countries and probably exists in even more in reality. “And in Greece we just haven’t detected it yet,” says Professor Nikos Tzanakis.
The CBB.1.5 strain comes from the CBB mutation, which appeared in Singapore and Inia several months ago and was introduced to America, and as Mr. Tzanakis says, while it appeared to escape immunity it lost some of its contagiousness. “CBB.1.5 has both immune evasive properties, but is also more contagious than any other strain.
This mutation belongs to the Omicron family of strains and we speculate that at least in terms of severity and toxicity it will be the same as other mutations belonging to the same family.” The HBV.1.5 strain is currently of concern to the scientific community, as approximately half of the cases in the US are infected with HBV.1.5.
Mr. Tzanakis notes the warning from the WHO, that possibly, we will have an increase in SARS-CoV-2 cases in the rest of the countries in the coming months because of this mutation. He emphasizes that those who are most at risk are those over 65, the unvaccinated and people with illnesses. “I personally strongly recommend vaccination with the updated vaccine to everyone, use of a mask and disinfection of hands and surfaces”, he concludes.
RES-EMP
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