ba 2 variant omicron symptoms ba 2 variant omicron symptoms

While evidence is still emerging, so far it does not appear this variant causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective. The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the . The data so far suggests an increase in overall reinfection rates, alongside an increase in first infections. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Genomes have now been uploaded from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong but the extent of spread is not yet determined. It is not clear where BA.2 originated, but it was first detected in the Philippines in November. UKHSA encourage everyone to continue to follow the most up-to date guidance. Because of a quirk in how it shows up in test results, we can see the numbers of suspected BA.2 doubled in the week up to 24 January. We have seen a rise in hospital admissions in line with community infections but vaccinations are continuing to keep ICU admissions and deaths at low levels. BA.2 infections in Germany are also growing faster than BA.1 and Delta, according to Dr Meera Chand, Covid-19 director at the UKHSA. So far, there have been 717 V-22OCT-01 sequences uploaded from the UK to the international GISAID database. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. The BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, or the "stealth" variant, has been outcompeting the previously dominant BA.1 subvariant in several countries. Spector shared a list of symptom prevalence from people who had tested positive for COVID, most of whom were estimated to have caught BA.2, he said. Studies have also shown that Omicron infects and multiplies in the upper airways 70 times faster than the previous Delta variant. Please come forward to receive your booster as soon as possible. The newest COVID variant taking the world by storm is Omicron's stealthy sub-variant BA.2, and it seems to have brought on a new barrage of gastrointestinal symptoms with it. Of symptomatic cases, loss of smell and taste was found to be more common in people who tested positive for Delta than those who had Omicron. Studies of contacts show that Omicron is transmitting more effectively than Delta. The early observations for 2 doses of AstraZeneca are particularly likely to be unreliable as they are based on small numbers and are likely to reflect an older population and a population with more co-morbidities than those given the Pfizer vaccine. A study of 8,500 households and 18,000 individuals conducted by Denmark's SSI found that BA.2 was "substantially" more transmissible than BA.1. And even if it does become the dominant version of Omicron, it may not actually alter the trajectory of the pandemic in countries that have seen a big wave of BA.1. Booster jabs are protecting people against infection and severe disease so I urge you to play your part in our national mission and get boosted now. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. As of 18 July 2022, there were 24 cases of BA.2.75 in the UK. UKHSA, in partnership with scientific bodies across the globe, is constantly monitoring the status of SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge and develop worldwide. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest COVID-19 variant technical briefing. This analysis excludes individuals with confirmed previous COVID-19 infection. The areas with the largest number of confirmed cases are London (146) and the South East (97). These early findings should be interpreted with caution as transmission data and dynamics can fluctuate, meaning that early findings can change quickly when new variants are identified. Omicron BA.2 lacks the genetic deletion on the spike protein which produces S-gene target failure (SGTF) in some polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which has been used as a proxy for Omicron cases previously. UKHSA scientists are urging anyone who has not had all the vaccines they are eligible for to make sure that they get them as soon as possible. So, like the original omicron strain (BA.1), the primary symptoms of a mild BA.2 infection are a cough, fever, fatigue and possible loss of taste or smell. Lower back pain. Studiesof households and contactshave found that there is a higher risk of transmission to contacts from an Omicron case, when compared to Delta. Thanks to the expertise of scientists at UKHSA and partner organisations, were able to respond quickly to new variations of the virus. It is not unexpected to see new lineages and continued investigation is a normal part of the surveillance of an infectious disease. Analysis shows that protection against symptomatic disease 2 to 4 weeks after a booster dose ranges from around 65% to 75%, dropping to 55% to 65% at 5 to 9 weeks and 45% to 50% 10 weeks or more following the booster dose. In this analysis, the risk of hospitalisation is lower for Omicron cases with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection after 2 and 3 doses of vaccine, with an 81% (95% confidence interval 77 to 85%) reduction in the risk of hospitalisation after 3 doses compared to unvaccinated Omicron cases. It appears to have a growth advantage compared to the version of Omicron, BA.1, that has swept the globe. moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at high risk of . A further 16 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total in Scotland to 29. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. Getting your booster jab remains the most effective way of protecting yourself and others from infection and severe disease. The individuals that have tested positive are not connected to each other and are not linked to the previously confirmed cases. In some countries, BA.2 accounts for more than half of sequenced Omicron cases, it adds. It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. It was designated a variant of concern (VOC) on Saturday 27 November. UKHSA has also published analyses related to the original Omicron strain BA.1. These groups have been prioritised for booster doses since the start of the rollout in September to increase their protection. They save lives and prevent serious illness. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infection at UKHSA, said: It is not unexpected to see new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 22. . These changes will take effect as of 1 April 2022 and will be reflected in full in future technical briefings. The UKHSAs COVID-19 variant technical briefing 43, published today, includes epidemiological analysis that shows that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 now make up more than half of new COVID-19 cases in England, accounting for approximately 22% and 39% of cases, respectively. A separate UK study also found higher transmissibility for BA.2 compared to BA.1. There are no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland. We now know that BA.2 has an increased growth rate which can be seen in all regions in England. Further information is also available in the latest variant technical briefing. The study also showed evidence to suggest that the BA.2 sub-variant is better able to evade vaccines. Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: Todays new data shows how important booster jabs are to protect us against this variant. "It's important to know and recognize all of the. The pace of sharing sequences by India is very slow, median days from collection to deposition is 69 days according to GISAID. Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. UKHSA has performed an initial laboratory evaluation of the current lateral flow devices (LFDs) for COVID-19 in current use in the UK. While BA.1 and BA.2 are similar, they are 20 mutations apart. Dr Chand said: "So far, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe illness than Omicron BA.1. New sub-lineages within Delta continue to be identified. The sub-variant of Omicron has been detected in 57 countries now, the WHO says. As I previously reported, omicron subvariants have a shorter incubation period, which is why the symptoms may appear earlier. While BA.2 appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, there is no data yet to suggest that it is any more severe. BA.2, also coined as the "stealth" variant, is a relative of Omicron's original variant, BA.1, which tore through the Australian community over Christmas and the New Year period. Work is underway to identify any links to travel to Southern Africa. BA.3 shares most of its mutations with BA.1 and BA.2 except for one. As of 2 May 2022, 21 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.4 and 19 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.5 have been detected in England. A BA2 variant's symptoms are similar to those of Omicron. Early analyses suggest an increased growth rate compared to BA.1, however, growth rates have a low level of certainty early in the emergence of a variant and further analysis is needed. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs [lateral flow devices] and take a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test if symptoms develop.". An estimated 78.7% of confirmed cases in England are BA.5 which was first identified in April and was designated as a Variant of Concern on 18 May. Of 5,153 individuals identified with an Omicron infection between 1 November and 11 December 2021, 305 were linked to a previous confirmed infection and had an interval from the previous positive test of 90 days or more. We urge these people in particular to get up-to-date. Download the data.xlsx. So how worried should we be about this emerging variant? If you have symptoms take a PCR test and isolate at home until you receive a negative result. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. The designation was made on the basis that this sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta. Everyone should complete a primary course as soon as possible for most this will be a first and second dose. The most important thing everyone can do now is to get any vaccine dose that you are eligible for it is by far the most effective action you can take to protect yourself, your families and your communities. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. While on one hand, this statement gives a ray of hope that BA.2 sub variant of Omicron which was thought to be severe is mild as the BA.1 subvariant is, but on the other hand with the report of . "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," says Dr. Erica Johnson, MD, the chair of the Infectious Disease Board of the . There is no data to suggest that BA.2 leads to more severe disease than previous Omicron sub-variants. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. There have been recent reports of people who experience symptoms like those of viral meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. New studies are being undertaken to assess this further. Previous variants of concern which no longer meet the criteria will be redesignated. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: This latest set of analysis once again demonstrates that a booster dose of the vaccine provides you with significant protection against hospitalisation from Omicron. The guidance on vaccination is changing to help all of us bolster our defences in the face of this new variant. A major ailment is not to be expected for the age group 20-50 years. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published analyses of Omicron sub-lineage BA.2. Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: This data is yet more evidence that vaccines remain our best line of defence against COVID-19. In total, 40 countries have uploaded 8,040 BA.2 sequences to GISAID since 17 November 2021. It is vital that everyone over the age of 40 who is eligible for a booster jab comes forward as soon as possible to get increased protection against this new variant. UKHSAwill continue to carry out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the characteristics of this variant. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely as a matter of routine, as we do all data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants both in the UK and internationally. Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said: Our latest analysis shows an encouraging early signal that people who contract the Omicron variant may be at a relatively lower risk of hospitalisation than those who contract other variants. Our advanced sequencing capabilities enable us to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread. However, vaccinated people are still less likely to get infected than unvaccinated individuals, and they are also less likely to pass it on. BQ.1 (V-22OCT-01) is a BA.5 sub-lineage which has been designated on the basis of rapid growth. Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible. As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. Omicron BA.2.75, the variant derived from the BA.2 lineage which was identified internationally earlier this month, has now been categorised as a separate variant and given the designation V-22JUL-01. In England, the infection rate increased in those aged 25 years to 49 years and those aged 70 years and over in the week ending 21 February 2023. However, any stay in hospital for a child is too long if youre a parent and its important we all take precautions to avoid the spread of infection. In addition, UKHSA has published data which shows the detection of cases exhibiting S-gene target failure (SGTF) in recent weeks across the country. XBB (V-22OCT-02) is a recombinant lineage derived from 2 previous Omicron sublineages.