![]() ![]() Even though there is increased transmissibility demonstrated by some preliminary studies, we need much more information about this virus variant and this lineage and all of the sub-lineages." Based on its mutations, experts aren't too surprised by the new designation. "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility. On May 10, the World Health Organization classified it as a "variant of concern." "We are classifying this as a variant of concern at a global level," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, shared in a briefing, per Reuters. Also worth noting, it was recently added as a variant of interest on the CDC website. There is no concrete evidence that this variant is deadlier or more transmissible than other variants. That's usually what gives people the suspicion that it might be more transmissible." Is the triple mutant coronavirus more deadly? ![]() This variant is occurring in India at the same time that cases are increasing. "One hypothesis is that this variant is able to spread more efficiently from person to person. "We're seeing this variant coming to dominate at a time when these things are increasing," says Adaljia. One is E484K, described as a "major immune escape variant." Explains Adaljia, "It means that those mutations have evolved in order to be able to evade the antibodies that have been formed through natural infection with prior strains."ĭata on transmissibility is still limited. This strain has a few notable mutations that are already being tracked in other variants. It's going to accumulate mutations, some of which will eventually coalesce to form a new variant." What makes this variant unique? As long as the virus has new people to infect and more chances to copy it, it gets to be copied. "Some mutations are favored because they increase the transmissibility of the virus. "It's the normal process of viral replication that leads to mutations that form this strain or a U.K. It's been out there and fairly widespread." "Since then, it's also been detected in at least 21 other countries. Jeffrey Klausner, MD, clinical professor of preventive medicine at U.S.C.'s Keck School of Medicine. "This specific one has an official name, B.1.617, and we believe it was first detected in India in October," says Dr. This strain has been found in Maharashtra, the second-most populous state in India, as well as a few other states in the country. This is a sub-lineage of B.1.617, found mainly in MH samples and also a bit in other states. Dubbed "triple" because in addition to the two mutations, it also has V382L in its Spike. Triple Mutant: Again, WRONG name, because it has many more defining mutations. "There are three mutations amongst a whole cluster of mutations that have been associated with increased transmissibility or immune evasion." "It's a shorthand for three mutations that are significant," says Amesh Adaljia, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. This variant actually has many more mutations. What is the triple mutant variant of COVID-19?įirst of all, the name is a simplified description and can be misleading. Here's what you need to know about the triple mutant variant, according to infectious disease experts, and how to help India fight the new surge of coronavirus cases. ![]() This B.1.617 variant is now classified as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a "variant of interest," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viruses are constantly changing through mutations, and variants have been emerging from the very beginning of the pandemic. While the term may sound scary, it's simply another strain among many throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some experts are pointing to the "triple mutant strain" or "triple mutant variant" of coronavirus as one possible reason for the uptick in India's cases. It's a grim reminder that the pandemic is far from over, even as the U.S. The country recently surpassed more than 379,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, the biggest total recorded globally since the pandemic began. India's battle with a second wave of COVID-19 is making headlines with record-breaking daily cases and a rising death toll. The triple mutant variant is one possible reason for the current crisis, and here's where to donate to help India. The strain has been classified as a "variant of concern" by the WHO and a "variant of interest" by the CDC, but experts say t he available COVID-19 vaccines still offer protection against this and other variants. One SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.617) found in India has been dubbed the "triple mutant variant." ![]()
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