While the fight against coronavirus continues with vaccination studies all over the world, another worrying news came after the Omicron variant. Associate Professor Takeuchi Hiroaki from Tokyo University of Medicine and Dentistry announced the results of the genome analysis performed for sub-variants of the Omicron mutation.
MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN OMICRON
Noting that the BA.2 sub-variant, which has nine mutations in different places compared to the BA.1 variant of Omicron, may be more contagious, Takeuchi said that just like in BA.1, there are more than 30 mutations in the spike protein of the sub-variant.
Noting that the said difference makes BA.2 more contagious than BA.1, Takeuchi warned that the BA.2 variant may have started to spread in Japan because the infection route is difficult to follow. Takeuchi mentioned that it is important to prevent the spread of the sub-variant in question in order to prevent the last wave in the epidemic.
STATEMENT FROM WHO ON VARIANT BA.2
In the statement made last week by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was announced that the BA.2 form of the Omicron mutation does not appear to be more severe than the original BA.1 form, and that the vaccines continue to provide similar protection against different forms of Omicron. However, it was stated that BA.2 has the potential to replace BA.1 globally.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BA.2?
Omicron variant BA.1, which appeared in South Africa on November 24, 2021, showed that this mutation was much more contagious compared to previous coronavirus variants. Now, the BA.2 form, a subspecies of Omicron, has emerged.
The expected explanation came from the experts about what kind of symptoms this variant, which is seen in many countries, manifests itself. British authorities provided information on the common symptoms of BA.2 before the coronavirus test was positive.
FIRST SYMPTOMS OF BA.2 Dizziness and fatigue
A statement from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has been made regarding BA.2, a sub-generation of the original Omicron BA.1. Accordingly, this worrying variant was found to manifest itself with vertigo or dizziness. The NHS stated in its statement:
“In the case of the BA.2 virus infection, the first symptom that occurs early manifests itself with dizziness. Another common symptom is fatigue.”
South African doctor Angelique Coetzee, who first reported Omicron in November 2021, said muscle aches as well as fatigue could be among the early symptoms of the variant.