New Deltacron variant vaccine resistant: Experts

Hyderabad: The genetic researchers involved in genome sequencing and tracking of new SARS-CoV-2 variants have reported multiple Deltacron clusters from UK, US and Australia in the last few days. In addition to the three clusters of Delta/Omicron genomes, the researchers in United Kingdom, within a span of just two-days, have also identified one more variant […]

Hyderabad: The genetic researchers involved in genome sequencing and tracking of new SARS-CoV-2 variants have reported multiple Deltacron clusters from UK, US and Australia in the last few days. In addition to the three clusters of Delta/Omicron genomes, the researchers in United Kingdom, within a span of just two-days, have also identified one more variant of Deltacron, taking the total to two variants of what is believed to be a genetic combination of Delta and Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Following the detection of the two different variants of Delta and Omicron, some of the UK researchers have claimed that the combined variants of the Deltacron are extremely dangerous, as they are vaccine and immunity resistant. On its part, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed the two variants under ‘signals currently under monitoring and investigation’ category. The new variants of the Deltacron are a clear indication of recombination, which means that exchange of genetic material between Delta and Omicron has led to the new variants.

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The new variants, according to UK researchers, could be resistant to the existing Covid vaccines. However, geneticists from Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi have said that there is no clear evidence that the recombinant variant of Delta and Omicron are severe or have the potential to cause fresh surge.

In a series of tweets, senior scientist from IGIB. Dr Vinod Scaria said, “There is nothing to suggest at this moment that these recombinants have any additional advantage when compared to Omicron. More epidemiological data is being awaited as more genomes get reported from across the world.”

Senior scientists who have been tracking the genetic recombination of different variants of SARs-CoV-2 have pointed out that while new variants of Delta and Omicron are getting reported, there is a possibility that these are not more severe than the present Omicron variant.

While maintaining that there is a lot of concern over the speed at which the SARS-CoV-2 is evolving, public health officials who are tracking these developments here, said that at present there is enough hybrid immunity among the general population against Omicron and Delta variant.

“Extensive vaccination and natural infection has given enough immunity against the Omicron variant in Telangana. At present, there should not be any cause of concern among people about new variants,” senior doctors here said.

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