The recently discovered subvariant, derived from the delta variant, accounts for 10% of new cases in the UK, but scientists say there is “no reason to panic.” Known as AY.4.2, there is some concern that it could be 10% more transferable than the original delta variant, but according to CNBC, there is not yet sufficient evidence to prove this to be the case.
The subvariant, which is believed to have emerged in the UK in the summer, has two additional mutations that affect its “spike” protein, part of the viral structure used to infiltrate cells. Questions remain about how these mutations will affect the rate at which they spread.
Over the past 28 days, AY.4.2 has accounted for about 10% of new Covid-19 cases, according to the Cog-UK public health consortium. This makes it the third most prevalent version of Covid-19 in the UK in the past four weeks.
Despite its rise, public health officials in England stress that so far, AY.4.2 does not appear to cause more serious illness or reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines. According to biologists from the University of Northumbria, England, the mutation did not take root in several European countries, “disappearing from the radars of Germany and Ireland.”
Christina Pagel, director of clinical operational research at University College London, said that while a new delta subvariant is definitely on the rise in the UK and elsewhere, this is not too worrisome.
“It appears to have a 12% to 18% transmission advantage over the delta option, which is not good news in this regard. It will complicate things a little, but it doesn’t make a big difference, ”Pagel said.
However, the emergence of a new mutation has raised some concerns, Pagel said. If the new mutation reaches countries that are lagging behind the UK in their vaccination programs, it will create additional problems.
“There are many different subtypes of the delta variant, [mas] this is the first subtype that really takes precedence over others, ”said Pagel. “And it just shows that he has where to go and develop,” the expert added.
Pagel has called for the reintroduction of some of the UK mitigation measures that lifted nearly all remaining Covid-19 restrictions in July and now have one of the highest infection rates in the world.
