DNA Explainer: Know all about Lambda variant of COVID-19, its symptoms
England has reported six cases of Lambda variant according to the data published by Public Health England (PHE) on Friday (June 25). Representative image
Updated: Jun 27, 2021, 10:40 AM IST
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the existence of a new COVID-19 variant Lambda . This variant was first found in South America and is labelled as a Variant of Interest (VOI) by WHO. The global health body has indicated that Lambda will be closely monitored in terms of infection strength before being added to the group of variables of concern. which includes the B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.427 (Epsilon), and B.1.429 (Epsilon).
What do we know about the mutation?
The mutation, like in the case of other variants, is located on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, in the region of interaction with human receptor ACE2.
It was detected in 11,435 distinct cases of the 1,180,571 SARS-CoV-2 samples they tested.
What do we know about the behaviour of this variant?
It has been noted that the T478K variant spreads fast. So much so that observing the rate and speed of the spread, the study researchers have also compared it to the Alpha variant, first identified in the UK. This variant has been increasingly spreading among people in North America, particularly in Mexico. To date, this variant covers more than 50% of the existing viruses in this area,”
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The World Health Organiaation said on Tuesday, 1 June, that only one strain of the COVID-19 variant, which was first found in India, is being now considered of concern , news agency
AFP reported.
Scientifically nomenclatured as B.1.617, the variant of the coronavirus is considered as the cause for the massive second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The B.1.617 variant has also been labelled as the “triple mutant variant” as it has three different lineages.
The WHO, however, in its latest announcement, has said that only the second of the three strains – B.1.617.2 – is now deemed to be of concern, while the other two descendants of the variant have been dropped from such consideration.
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) is not discounting the possibility that a Covid-19 variant of concern (VOC) has already spread widely in the community in all states of the country.