A new variant of coronavirus B.1.1.28.2 has been detected in India through genome sequencing conducted by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The variant was isolated from nasal and throat swabs from international travellers from Brazil and the UK. The pathogenicity of the isolate was assessed in Syrian hamster model and compared with B.1 variant.
According to a study by NIV, the B.1.1.28.2 variant induced body weight loss, viral replication in the respiratory tract, lung erosion. It also causes severe lung pathology in infected Syrian hamster model. The test was conducted for about seven days on nine Syrian hamsters. The study was performed in Vero CCL81 cells and genomic characterisation by next-generation sequencing.
Experts opine that the new variant is similar to the Delta variant and could be more dangerous than the Alpha variant. According to reports, the new findings have raised questions about vaccine efficacy, However, NIV study says covaxin will significantly boost antibody against the variant.
The World Health Organisation on Monday estimated that Covid-19 vaccination coverage of at least 80% is needed to significantly lower the risk that “imported” coronavirus cases like those linked to new variants could spawn a cluster or a wider outbreak.
