The COVID-19 epidemic, which has important social and economic effects as well as affecting health services and daily life in the world, continues to maintain its effectiveness and place on the agenda despite vaccination studies and protective measures. The subtypes of COVID-19 that emerge as a result of genetic changes and mutations and gaining new features are called variants. With the mutations that have developed since the outbreak of the epidemic, many COVID-19 variants have been identified and health practices have been diversified according to their characteristics. The most recent of these variants is the Omicron variant.
What is the Omicron Variant?
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays an important role in the determination and regulation of health services in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In this direction, in coordination with international health care providers, necessary measures and researches are carried out by following the course of the pandemic in the light of the data obtained on COVID-19. Variants that develop by gaining new features as a result of mutations of COVID-19 are classified by WHO. The variants that are important in the fight against the epidemic are named and the necessary data for their information, characteristics and ways of fighting are shared with the world public.
COVID-19 variants are named based on the letters used in the Ancient Greek alphabet. First detected variants; They are named Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Lambda, Delta, and Mu in alphabetical order. While it is expected that the newly detected variants will be given the names "Nu" or "Xi" according to the order in the alphabet; Since the letter "Nu" is similar to the English word "new", that is, "new", and the letter "Xi" is commonly used in surnames, the last detected variant was given the name "Omicron", which is the next letter.
How is the Omicron Variant Transmitted?
The Omicron variant, similar to the previously detected Delta and Mu variants, has emerged as a result of some mutations that cause changes in the structure and proliferation ability of the "spike" proteins that allow the virus to attach to target cells. Omicron variant has become more contagious than other variants because it causes changes in spike proteins targeted by vaccines. The transmission of the virus occurs through breathing, contact with sick people, and contact with body fluids of the patient, as when the epidemic first started.
Is the Omicron Variant Dangerous?
There are concerns that the Omicron variant may cause a more contagious and severe disease picture than previous versions of the virus. The variant was first detected in South African countries and soon became the dominant virus variant in the region. In cases of Omicron variant seen in South Africa, it has been determined that COVID-19 disease can re-emerge in people who have previously had the disease. Studies showing the virus's ability to cause disease and its relationship with current health measures are still ongoing. Therefore, it is not possible to give clear information about the severity, risk of death, vaccine resistance and transmission rate of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus.
Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Protect Against the Omicron Variant?
COVID-19 vaccine studies continue at full speed around the world. The transmission rate of COVID-19 also differs from region to region, due to the fact that vaccines are prepared with different methods, the degree of protection is different, and the rate of vaccination varies from country to country. However, sufficient scientific data on the disease-causing power of the Omicron variant in vaccinated individuals have not yet been obtained. Although research continues on this issue, there is no data by WHO that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective against the Omicron variant. However, researchers warn that the mutations detected in the new variant may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines, so a new epidemic wave may occur.
Comments
Post a Comment