It seems like covid is here to stay for a longer time as some more variants have emerged creating more of concern for the medical sciences. Recently 2 cases of Kappa strain were detected in Uttar Pradesh. Prior to these, 2 patients were identified with Delta Plus strain in Gorakhpur.

With the increasing number of Delta Plus strain, other emerging variants have also become a cause of major concern. 4 new varieties have gained the attention of health experts. B.1.617.3, a relative of the Delta variant; B.11.318, which contains 14 mutations; Lambda, a variant discovered by Public Health England and classed as a variant of interest (VOI) by the World Health Organization; and Kappa or B.1.617.1 are among the variants.

The Delta variant has been attributed as the leading force behind the country’s devastating 2nd wave. A number of deaths have been witnessed with this wave containing the Delta variant. As per researches, the vaccines are also 8 times less effective against the Delta variant. The variant causes more severe symptoms and has extra transmissibility.

The Delta Plus variant has been formed due to the mutation in Delta or B.1.617.2 variant. Some cases of Delta Plus variant considered to be highly infectious have been found on Maharashtra. Experts have warned that this variant may trigger the 3rd wave in India.

Apart from India, the Delta Plus variant has been detected in Russia, UK, Portugal, Japan, Nepal, China,  Switzerland and Poland. Delta plus patients have reported of stomach ache, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, joint pains, hearing impairment apart from the usual dry cough, fever, tiredness, aches and pains, skin rashes, toes and fingers discoloration, sore throat, conjunctivitis, loss of taste and smell loss, diarrhea, and headache, chest pain, breathlessness, shortness of breath, and speech loss.

The Kappa variant also referred to as B.1.167.1 is a double mutant strain of the virus that has raised red flags and prompted global gene surveillance to check for its prevalence and propagation. The double mutation is a distant lineage since it consists of two viral types. The E484Q mutation, which is identical to the E484K mutation identified in the fast-spreading Brazilian and South African variants of concern, is one of them. It also contains the L452R mutation, which allows the virus to evade our immune system’s natural defences.

As per Health Ministry, Lambda variant of Covid is still being explored. It has not yet entered India. WHO designated it as Variant of Interest . It was discovered in Peru in 2020 and then made its way into UK.

The B1.617.3 is a member of the B.1.617 lineage, which was first discovered in India. It’s a cousin of the Delta variety B.1.617.2, which was responsible for India’s fatal second wave. So far, no health authority has classified the B.1.617.3 variation as a variant of interest or concern.

(with inputs from news18)