VARIANTS PRESENT IN INDIA
India variant (B.1.617)
Linked to increased infectivity, re-infection: According to the WHO, it is now a variant of concern. The E484Q mutation in the strain is similar to the one in the South Africa and Brazil strains—also known as ‘escape mutation’, it helps the virus slip past previously created antibodies. The L452R mutation has been found in the California variant. This is the first major variant combining both these mutations.
What is a ‘double mutant’: The term is colloquial. Most variants come with several mutations. The B.1.617 was found with 15 mutations on its spikes, 13 of which were in other global variants too.
In India, the variant has been spotted in 60% of samples from Maharashtra. It is also surging in Karnataka, Delhi, West Bengal, Gujarat and other states.
Further mutations: One of its versions, B.1.617.2, is surging in the UK.
UK variant (B.1.1.7)
There were roughly 17 changes to the virus.
Linked to increased infectivity: One mutation—a H69/V70 deletion, in which a small part of the spike is removed—has emerged several times before. Studies show this mutation helps the virus escape antibodies and that it’s 50 per cent more transmissible. In India, it was found mostly in Punjab; now waning.
Brazil variant: (P.1)
Linked to re-infection: The variant seems to not only infect faster but may also escape antibodies generated through a previous natural infection or vaccination. Research by the Brazil-UK CADDE project found 25-61 per cent of people in Brazil susceptible to re-infection by it.
In India, only a single incidence found in genetic sampling so far.
South Africa variant (B.1.351)
Linked to re-infection: It carries the same mutation as the UK variant that makes it more infectious. But it also has another change, called E484K, which could help the virus dodge human antibodies created from previous Covid infections and some vaccines. It has also been found to be 50 per cent more infectious than the previous Covid variants. In India, it has been found to have a limited presence.