Following a surge in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, new cases of the virus have also been reported in India in recent weeks, with the majority of these cases coming from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Nonetheless, the majority of cases are mild and unrelated to mortality or severity.
“So far cases have been sporadic. The JN.1 sub-variant of the virus, which is believed to be a part of the surge in Asia, is already present in India. It is a descendant of the BA.2.86, also known as ‘Pirola’ strain, belonging to the Omicron lineage. This strain can evade existing immunity and is more transmissible. But it has so far not differed much from the symptoms associated with Omicron,” says Dr Jatin Ahuja, infectious disease specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.
A sub-lineage of the Omicron variant is JN.1. There have been about 30 mutations in the virus. It is searching for methods to get past our immune systems, but that does not imply that it is getting more dangerous. The surface receptors and the spike protein—the portion of the virus that enters our cells—have changed. By deceiving the immune system, these facilitate the virus’s spread.
More than immunisation, doctors recently experienced the Omicron wave. When the virus or a similar variant resurfaces, this can still activate memory T cells and memory B cells, which can combat it and lessen the severity of the illness. According to a study in the journal PLoS Pathogens, memory T cells are able to identify various components of the virus, including those in the Omicron variant. Antibodies produced by memory B cells have the ability to neutralise the Omicron variant.
Instead, what doctors are witnessing are flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and sore throat. Similar to previous waves, some people may experience nausea and conjunctivitis. Antivirals, self-isolation, rest, and hydration should all help you calm down. There are chances in those living with co-morbidities or the immuno-compromised. People with uncontrolled diabetes, chronic kidney disease, HIV and transplant patients need to be cautious. The elderly, pregnant women and children are vulnerable to it.
Only ancestral strains were targeted by the earlier vaccines. In addition, they were created using a virus that had been inactivated or weakened. Nowadays, mRNA vaccines are required, such as Gemcovac-19, which use synthetic mRNA to produce a protein or a portion of it in order to elicit an immune response. Regretfully, this vaccine is not widely accessible.
Unlike other mRNA vaccines that need to be stored at temperatures below freezing, the new vaccine can be kept between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Because mRNA technology can be adjusted for new variants, it is most effective when used in preventive vaccinations. Return to the drill for more preventive measures. Avoid close contact with the infected, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask in crowded and polluted areas.
