India Detects 3 New Cases of CORONA BF7 Variant
The BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron that is prevalent in china is thought to be the cause of the present spike in Covid-19 infections there. This isn't the first time BF.7 has been in the spotlight; back in October, it began to displace the main variations in the US and several other european nations.
As the main stem of the SARS-CoV-2 tree sprouts branches and sub-branches, so do viruses when they change, creating lineages and sub-lineages. The Omicron sub-lineage BA.5 and the BF.7 are identical. The latter is also known as BA.5.2.1.7. The BF.7 sub-variant has a 4.4-fold higher neutralisation resistance than the original D614G variant, according to a study published in the journal "Cell Host and Microbe" earlier this month. This means that in a lab setting, antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original wuhan virus that spread throughout the world in 2020.
PTI reports that so far, one case has been reported from odisha while two instances have been reported from Gujarat. gujarat Biotechnology Research Center discovered the first case of BF.7 in india in October. A Covid review conference of specialists, headed by Union health Minister Mansukh Mandaviyachaired on Wednesday, came to the conclusion that although there has not yet been a general increase in Covid caseload, ongoing surveillance is necessary to keep track of both existing and new varieties.