Open AccessHow Triple Mutation of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Developed in India
Author(s) -
Sheema Fatima Khan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of medical and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2593-8339
DOI - 10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.3.893
Subject(s) - virology , mutation , outbreak , coronavirus , virus , herd immunity , covid-19 , mutant , biology , resistance mutation , medicine , genetics , rna , vaccination , gene , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , reverse transcriptase
The COVID-19 infection is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It is a single stranded RNA virus hence has high mutation rate. In a populous country like India, it can find large number of hosts to infect and thus undergo strong mutation. The Indian variant B.1.617 undergone three mutation to form B.1.617.2 (double mutant) and B.1.617.3 (triple mutant). The variant B.1.617.2 is declared a Variant of Concern due to its increase transmissibility, immune escape, increase effect of infection. The variant is also suspected to reduce vaccine efficacy and efficiency. It also the cause of overwhelming second wave of coronavirus in India. This harmful variant has also spread to other countries such as UK and Australia. Such harmful mutations are a result of aiming for herd immunity naturally against the virus. This article aims to understand the triple mutation and cause of devastating COVID-19 wave in India. And analyze steps to prevent future outbreaks.