It has been e years since the SARS-CoV-2 first appeared in globally and since then it has found its way into every nook and corner of this planet. One of the basic factors which allowed the virus to successfully navigate is its ability to mutate and work its way around the human barriers.
As speculations about a new Covid wave spread, Omicron BF-7, a new subvariant that has a high transmission rate after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variations, is now the most recent source of concern.
Therefore, what do we need to know about the new strain of Covid virus driving the current wave of infections in China.
What is BF.7?: Omicron, the dominant varient currently spreading globally, is responsible for more than 98% of viral sequences shared on GISAID after February 2022, as per the WHO. Since November 2021, viruses that are a part of the Omicron complex have persisted in evolving, giving rise to offspring lineages with various genetic mutation constellations.
The Omicron variety BA.5, of which BF.7 is a sub-lineage, has the strongest infection ability since it is highly contagious, incubates quickly, and has the ability to reinfect or infect even people who have received vaccinations.
Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center discovered the first BF.7 case in India in October. Gujarat has recorded two incidents, and Odisha has reported one.
It is well known that the new strain, which has a shorter incubation period, spreads fast from one individual to another. In the next three months, 60% of China is likely to be infected.
The R0 value of this mutant as per researches is approximately 10-18.6 which implies that any infected individual can infect 10-18.6 people around him. R0 is the reproductive rate of the strain.
Symptoms: The variant's symptoms resemble those of the other Covid variants in general. Fever, a cough, a sore throat, and runny nose are among its symptoms. Patients who are infected also exhibit coughing and respiratory problems. Some patients also have abdominal symptoms like loose stools and stomach pain.
With the exception of the elderly and those with co-morbidities, there is relatively little risk of a BF.7 infection progressing to pneumonia.
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