Question: What is the name given to the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, designated as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
a) Cavicorn
b) Omicron
c) Zikcron
d) Ebolicron
Answer: (b)
Related Facts:-
- On 26 November 2021; the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, designated as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organisation(WHO).
- This variant, also named as Omicron, first reported from South Africa on 24 November 2021.
- It should be known that variant of concern is the WHO’s top category of worrying Covid variants.
- The new #COVID19 virus variant – Omicron – has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.
- The WHO said the Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), to assess the B.1.1.529 variant.
- Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE)an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
- TAG-VE assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus.
- The TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a Variant of Concern.
- The advise was Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology.
- The WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron” under its Greek-letter system.
- “This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs.
- According to WHO press release, the number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa.
- The variant, first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November, has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.
- The WHO has directed the countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- It told them to submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database.
- Countries are also advised to perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology.