Скачать или смотреть Omicron ‘sub-variant’ throws up new virus questions

British health authorities have identified hundreds of cases of the Omicron variant dubbed BA.2.

Scientists are keeping a close watch on a recently-discovered sub-variant of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus to determine how its emergence could affect future pandemic spread.

The initial Omicron variant has become the dominant virus strain in recent months but British health authorities have notably identified hundreds of cases of the latest version, dubbed BA.2, while international data suggest it could spread relatively quickly.

BA.2 has yet to be designated a variant of concern – but Flahault says countries have to be alert to the latest development as scientists ramp up surveillance.

“[France] expected a spike in contaminations in mid-January. It didn’t happen and perhaps that is due to this sub-variant, which seems very transmissible but not more virulent” than BA.1, he observed.

“What interests us is if this [sub-variant] possesses different characteristics” from BA.1 in terms of contagiousness and severity, France’s public health agency said on Friday.
To date, only a handful of BA.2 cases have emerged in France – but the country is monitoring developments as they spread across the Channel.

Scientists must evaluate how the virus continues to evolve and mutate. Its latest incarnation does not possess the specific mutation used to track and compare BA.1 with Delta, the previously dominant strain.
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