Double Mutant Coronavirus Variant; What is? and Why Is So Dangerous? Maharashtra America UK, Singapore COVID Cases

Coronavirus has taken a dangerous form in the country.  In one day, the new corona cases have crossed the figure of 2.33 lakh.  In the first wave, the peak had reached 97 thousand cases, but this time the second wave has reached about two and a half times more.  The second peak has still not arrived.  There is a discussion among scientists and epidemiologists why this is happening?  Are the variants from outside and double mutant variants found in India not to blame for this?

 According to reports, double mutant variants are spreading rapidly.  Genome sequencing of 61% of samples from Maharashtra has been confirmed to be double mutant virus.  Central government sources say that this double mutant virus has reached Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in about 10 states, where positive cases have increased rapidly for some time.

 Talking about Maharashtra, 361 samples of patients who came positive between January and March this year were taken.  It was genome-sequenced.  In 220 i.e. 61% samples have the presence of double mutant variants.

 Why are these variants called double mutants?

 Dr. Gagandeep Kang, the country's renowned vaccine scientist and professor of microbiology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, says that it is not so difficult to understand.  If the virus passes from one body to another body, there are changes in it.  It is like a spelling mistex.  Like writing VIURS to VIRUS.  These are the variants of that virus.

 The new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus, is being called a double mutant variant because of its two mutations (E484Q and L452R).  Scientists have named it B.1.617.  There are two changes in the virus in this double mutant variant.  The surprising thing is that both these changes are not new.  Rather, we are seeing different effects in different countries in different variants.  Both changes have occurred in the spike proteins of the virus.

 Why double mutant virus is dangerous?

 According to scientists, the E484Q mutation in the double mutant variant is similar to the E484K mutation.  It was also seen in variants found in the UK (lineage B.1.1.7) and South African (B.1.351).  Similarly, the L452R mutation was shown in California in rapidly dispersed variants (B.1.427 and B.1.429).

 Both these changes increase the strength of infecting the human cells of the virus.  This increases its transmission capacity.  It is also helpful in increasing the number of viruses rapidly.  Simply put, both of these changes have taken place in such parts of the virus, which increase its strength to avoid transmission and antibodies.

 Where are these double mutant variants found?

 Started in Maharashtra.  In March, the central government said that in samples taken from Maharashtra, 20% of the cases have got double mutant variants.  But the new figures are shocking.  Sequencing for genome studies revealed that 61% of the cases had a double mutant variant.  Central government sources are saying that this variant is active in Delhi, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh as well as Madhya Pradesh and other states.

 So far this deadly variant has been found in Amravati, Nagpur, Akola, Wardha, Pune, Thane, Aurangabad and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra.  No more samples have been taken from other districts and their sequencing has not taken place.  Given this, it may spread to more districts.  Talking about the world, this double mutant variant has also been found in America, UK, Singapore and Australia.

 Is this variant more deadly?

 There is not much evidence to this effect.  Most of the patients are undergoing treatment at home.  Public Health Policy Expert Dr. Chandrakant Laharia says that by increasing genome sequencing, it will be known whether new variants are cause for concern or not.  By the way, when the virus spreads more, its comparatively weaker variants are formed.  This spread is fast, but its fatal effect starts to decrease.  This is a natural process.  In a few days, if the corona virus also becomes like a common cold-cough virus, then it will not be surprised.

 Doctors say that new variants are often able to dodge the body's immune system.  Go into the body and increase its number.  It is not yet known whether both the vaccine and the vaccine used in the treatment of corona virus infection are effective in these variants.  So far, only 10,000 samples have been studied in India.  It is not even 1% of the total case.

 Is this the reason for the rapid increase in cases in Maharashtra?

 Yes  Doctors have to say the same.  Dr Bharesh Dedhia, head of critical care at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Center, Khar facility in Mumbai, says the double mutant variant is more contagious.  It has the ability to evade immunity.  This may be the reason why it is causing more serious patients, infections in vaccinated people, and reintegration in others.  It is also making the youth sick, due to which it is spreading rapidly.

 Doctors in Maharashtra are saying that the families of the family are getting infected in the second wave as compared to the first wave.  This indicates that physical distancing and isolation are falling less in the home or the virus has become more transmissible.

 At the same time, Dr. Sujit Singh, director of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), said in an interview that very few samples have been taken from Maharashtra till now.  It cannot be said that double mutants are the cause of increasing cases in Maharashtra.  Dr. Kang says that if 61% of the samples have this variant, then it can definitely be a link to increased numbers.  But if exact answer is required then sequencing of 1% samples will have to be done every week.  January data is of no use in April.  Live tracking is a must.

 Can this new variant survive the vaccine?

 Do not know.  There is no data in this regard.  Some people have been infected after taking the first dose.  A month after taking some two doses.  It is not known whether the genome sequencing of their samples was performed.  Scientists have proven that the South African variant escapes from immune response.  At the same time, it is also known that the UK variant spreads rapidly.  But scientists do not know what kind of behavior B.1.617 shows.  More data will be collected in this regard, only then one will be in a position to say something.

 Is this a threat to our immunity?

 Yes  There is some extent.  Statistics are not available to prove this fact.  More research needs to be done.  But the way the infections are occurring even after the vaccine dose, cases of reintegration are coming out, it is clear that these variants are dodging the antibodies present in the body somewhere.  The Health Ministry has also said that the new variant can increase infection rates and dodge immune defense.  Such mutations are often able to dodge the body's immune response and neutralize antibodies.