with Omicron BA.2 By removing the previously identified BA.1 subvariant, questions about reinfection are emerging extensively. A Danish study recently revealed that being infected with two subtypes of Omicron is not impossible, but the possibility is rare. The researchers also suggested that the virus load would be lower for the second time since the patient is likely to develop immunity the first time.
The new study was led by researchers from Denmark’s top infectious disease authority, the Statens Serum Institute (SSI). However, it is yet to be peer reviewed.
“We provide evidence that omicron BA.2 re-infections are rare, but can occur relatively soon after BA.1 infection,” the study authors said.
The researchers said reinfection mostly affected young, uninfected individuals and caused only mild illness, none of which led to hospitalization or death.
BA.1 and BA.2 differ by up to 40 mutations. While BA.2 accounts for more than 88% of cases in Denmark, cases have begun to rise in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Norway.
What did the WHO say on reinfection?
Earlier, World Health Organization officials said with the coronavirus variant, unfortunately, it wins or survives over time.
Explaining why the chances of re-infection are high, WHO officials said, when you have an infection, your body has an immediate defense called natural innate immunity and then you develop what we B cells and T cells are called. B cells produce immunoglobulins. You maintain those immunoglobulins for a certain amount of time and then they go down after three to six months, the official explains.
When those immunity goes down and you’re exposed, and so we’re saying keep on protecting because your immunoglobulins are reduced, your first line of defense is reduced, you can get reinfected. .
Omron removes other COVID variants
Regarding BA.2, the WHO said there are a number of ongoing studies comparing different subclasses of Omicron—what we know about their transmittance, severity, and effects of vaccines.
“Now across all subtypes, BA.2 is more permeable than BA.1. However, there is no difference in terms of severity.”
The WHO also reported that all other coronavirus cases, including alpha, beta and delta, continue to decline globally as Omicron knocks them out. Of the more than 400,000 COVID-19 virus sequences uploaded to the world’s largest virus database last week, more than 98% were omicrons.
(with inputs from agencies)
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