The BA4 Omicron variant was identified by geneticists from the sample of a Covid positive individual in Hyderabad, which was collected on May 9. Since January, the BA4 and BA5 variants of Omicron have been associated with the fifth Covid wave in South Africa, a fresh wave of infections in the US and Europe. This is first the first time that the BA4 variant of Omicron has been reported in India.
On May 12, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (EC DPC), which strengthens Europe’s defense against infectious disease, declared BA4 and BA5 Omicron variants as Variants of Concern (VOC). “For these variants, clear evidence is available indicating a significant impact on transmissibility, severity and/or immunity that is likely to have an impact on the epidemiological situation in the EU/EEA,” the EC DPC, referring to BA.4 and BA.5, said.
The BA 4 and BA 5 variants of Omicron were first reported by South African health officials in January and February, respectively. Since then, both the variants have been largely responsible for triggering a fresh wave of Covid surges in South Africa, the US, the United Kingdom, and countries in Europe including Germany, Denmark etc.
Based on the reports from research institutions, the BA4 and BA5 sub-variants are quite different from the original version of the Omicron due to which they have the ability to evade immunity generated from the previous infection.
The new Omicron variants (BA4 and BA5) have replaced the BA2 variant of the Omicron, which was the active circulating virus in many countries. At present, the BA2 variant is the dominant strain in Telangana and other Indian States. Senior health officials here have said that the impact of the BA4 variant could be only felt in "a couple of weeks" when they will be able to understand its growth advantage when compared to the BA2 variant of the Omicron.
Covid-19 4th Wave in India Live Updates: India recorded 2,323 fresh Covid-19 infections on Saturday, while the number of active cases came down to 14,996, according to the official data updated by the Union health ministry today. The death toll climbed to 5,24,348 with 25 fatalities. The active cases comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections. According to the Ministry, the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.75 per cent. A decrease of 48 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
To accelerate the coverage of those vaccinated against Covid-19, the Union Health Ministry on Friday announced it will launch a two-month-long door-to-door campaign in June and July. The campaign will give preference to eligible senior citizens to be inoculated with a booster dose.
The European CDC is anticipating a significant overall increase in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks and months due to the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron. What are these new strains, and could they trigger a fourth wave in India as well?
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron as ‘variants of concern’. Being a sub-variant of Omicron, the World Health Organization (WHO) already considers both to be ‘variants of concern’.
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