How Dangerous and Contagious is Delta Variant?
If you’re a regular reader of the news, you’re probably aware of the SARS-CoV-2, Delta variant, which has the potential to wreak mayhem throughout the world. Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of WHO, has designated the delta variant as ‘the most transmissible variant.’
The delta variant, also known as ‘B.1.617.2,’ originated in the Indian state of Maharashtra and spread throughout the world in several altered forms. It has now spread to 92 nations. The researchers estimate that this variant is 40–60% more transmissible than B.1.1.7, or the Alpha variant discovered in the United Kingdom.
This variant was primarily responsible for India’s fatal second wave of infection, which virtually destroyed the country’s health care system. Subsequently, this variant spread throughout the world, and nearly all cases in the United Kingdom and at least 10% of cases in the United States were caused by the delta variant.
Apart from unvaccinated people, the delta variant has been infecting partially vaccinated individuals with a single dosage.
Let us analyze what distinguishes the delta variant from other variants. Are the presently available vaccines capable of tackling this variant?
Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization, stated that the new variant is a ‘faster and fitter’ strain of the SARAS-CoV-2 virus that is considerably more easily transmitted and replicated than the previous strain. The delta version features several changes that will aid in the virus’s proliferation.
Certain mutations weaken the virus; others confer an advantage on it, allowing it to spread. If the variant exhibits significantly different physical traits as a result of the alterations, the variant may be referred to as a strain.
Previous strain symptoms were dry cough, loss of taste, and fever, whereas the delta variant shows slightly different symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, and runny nose.
According to a study done by Public Health England (PHE), the delta variant accounts for 61% of new infections in the UK. In another analysis, they stated that the delta variant is also associated with a 2.61-times greater risk of hospitalization when compared to other variants.
In one of its publications, ‘The Lancet’ found an 85% increased risk of hospitalization associated with delta variant infection.
To combat the growing threat posed by this variant, the WHO declares the delta variant a “Variant of Global Concern” in May 2021.
How did the Virus Spread Worldwide?
In October 2020, Maharashtra, India, detected the first positive sample of ‘B.1.617.2’ or the delta variant; with a slight increase in mutation, this strain quickly spread throughout India. The second wave of COVID-19, which utterly destroyed India’s healthcare system, was primarily caused by the delta variant.
According to the Indian union government, 90% of COVID-19 cases in India during the second wave were exclusively related to the delta variations.
Gradually, as a result of travel relaxation, this variant has spread throughout the world. Delta variants have been reported in 92 countries to date, according to Dr maria van.
Following India, the delta variant was discovered in the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first positive sample of delta variant in the United States was recorded in March 2021; until the end of April, the number of positive cases because of the delta was approximately 0.1%; by mid-June, it had increased to around 20.6%.
Chief Medical Advisor to the President, Dr Anthony Fauci, said, due to uneven vaccination, the southern belt of the United States may face a delta variant outbreak.
In the United Kingdom, the threat is more serious. According to PHE, the delta variant was first found in the Kent region of the United Kingdom in April, and the new infection rate has risen to as high as 95%. As of June 18, there was a 46 % (75,953) increase in cases due to the delta variant in one single week.
Russia is also facing a similar threat; according to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, 89.3% of new infections in Russia are caused by the COVID-19 delta variant. On June 25, the Government Coronavirus Task Force detected 20,393 confirmed cases, the most since January 24 in Russia.
France is already preparing for a possible outbreak of the delta variant. Approximately 10% of new infections in France are caused by delta variants. This variant was predominantly detected -in the southwest region of France.
Despite Israel’s strong vaccination rate, the ‘Wall Street Journal’ claimed that 90% of new infections in the country are caused by the delta variant. While an astounding 50% of instances occurred in patients who were properly vaccinated by Pfizer.
Delta variant has been detected in several states of Australia. So far, 80 cases of the delta variant have been confirmed from Australia. On June 28, Sydney was placed on a strict two-week lockdown to halt this transmission.
Eastern and Southern African countries such as South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Uganda have established a reputation for having a high rate of delta variant cases.
With such widespread transmission, you’re probably wondering, will existing vaccines work against delta variants?
Will Existing Vaccines Work Against Delta Variants?
To make an evaluation of this question Public Health England and the University of Edinburgh conducted research that was published in ‘The Lancet’. From April 1 to June 6, 2021, they studied 19,543 SARS-CoV-2 confirmed positive samples. They discovered that the Pfizer Vaccine provides up to 92% protection against the alpha variant, but only 79% protection against the delta variant.
The AstraZeneca or Covishield vaccine offers 73% protection against the alpha variant while 60% protection against the delta variant.
Additionally, the research reveals that a double dose of vaccine is far more effective than a single dose.
Study authors advised that the vaccine comparison should be read with caution due to differences in the groups receiving each type of vaccine, as well as how rapidly immunity develops with each shot.
The study has revealed that the interval between two doses must be minimized to increase the efficacy of the vaccine. The UK has decreased the interval from eight to four weeks as a result of the findings.
Conclusion
Delta variant represents the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s continual evolution, with succeeding forms becoming significantly more deadly to humans. Recently, a few nations, including India and the United Kingdom, reported the Delta plus variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to experts, the delta plus variant is more transmissible than the delta variant.
The urgent requirement of the hour is to intensify the vaccination drive and have as many individuals fully vaccinated as possible.
To halt this sequence of evolution, we must contain the COVID-19 outbreak, which will aid in its localization. Facemasks, personal cleanliness, social isolation, and complete vaccination can all help to protect us against these variants.
Note — None of the data came from the author’s head; all data was gathered from credible sources, and as this article was written on June 3rd, 2021, the data may have changed since then.
