The new coronavirus variant "Delta" has an enhanced version

Although the epidemic situation in India has shown signs of slowing down for more than half a month, the emergence of new mutant viruses, the low rate of vaccination, and the large flow of people caused by unblocking make India's future epidemic situation still not optimistic

Xinhua News Agency

International war "epidemic" operation

Like all viruses, since the discovery of the new coronavirus, its infectivity, danger and the symptoms that it causes have changed as it continues to mutate

The World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Swaminatan recently stated that the transmission capacity of the "delta" (δ/B.

However, the British Public Health Department first reported on June 11 a variant of the new coronavirus called "Delta Plus" (B.

The latest news from New Delhi Television (NDTV) in India on June 25 stated that of at least seven confirmed cases of the "Delta Plus" variant of the new crown virus in Madhya Pradesh, two patients have died

"Delta Plus" was formed by mutation of "Delta"

The "Delta Plus" variant is similar to the original "Delta" strain.

Indian top virologist Shahid Jameel said that the K417N mutation is located in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein.

"India Express" reported on June 24 that "Delta Plus" is resistant to a mixture of monoclonal antibodies

Up to now, the Global Shared Influenza Data Initiative (GISAID) has identified 63 genomes of the "Delta" virus with the K417N mutation

The Public Health Department of the United Kingdom reported that as of June 7, the "Delta Plus" variant was found in 6 sample genomes from India

Currently in India, the frequency of K417N in variants is not high

Why the "Delta Plus" variant attracts attention

According to British Sky TV news on June 23, after India discovered 16 cases of "Delta Plus" in Maharashtra, India has listed the strain as a "worrying variant"

Previously, British experts said that the K417N mutation of the "beta" variant can help the virus avoid neutralizing antibodies

Jameel said that the K417N mutation will reduce the effectiveness of antibody cocktail therapy for the treatment of new coronary pneumonia

US Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) reported on June 24 that the "Indian Coronavirus Genome Consortium" (INSACOG) composed of 28 laboratories warned that the "Delta Plus" variant has 3 worries Features: enhanced infectivity, stronger binding to lung cell receptors and possible reduction of monoclonal antibody response

Indian media livemint reported on June 25 that this variant is highly contagious, causing symptoms including dry cough, diarrhea, fever, headache, rash, discoloration of fingers and toes, chest pain and shortness of breath

Is the vaccine effective for "Delta Plus"

India’s "Economic Times" reported on June 24 that data showed that the prevalence of the "Delta Plus" variant virus in India is still very low
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So far, "Delta" is still the main variant of the country, and it is not yet certain whether "Delta Plus" will trigger the third wave of epidemics in India
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Medical experts say that it is too early to predict the effectiveness of existing vaccines against new variants
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To determine the impact of mutations on the immune system, detailed studies are needed
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The Public Health Department of England said last week that both Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are effective against the "Delta" variant, but more data is needed for the effectiveness of the "Delta Plus"
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At present, the Indian Ministry of Health has recommended that the three states where "Delta Plus" is found "immediately take containment measures in various regions and clusters, including prevention of crowd mixing, extensive testing, rapid tracking, and priority vaccination
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