WHO declares variant from India as "Variant of Concern"

The World Health Organisation has declared the SARS - CoV-2 variant B. 1.617, first found in India in October 2020, as a "variant of global concern." It has been upgraded from a "variant of interest", and is now in the same category as the variants detected in South Africa, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. This announcement comes in light of mounting infections in the country, with several countries putting a ban on travel from India due to the surge of cases here.

When does a Variant of Interest get upgraded to a Variant of Concern?

According to the WHO, a variant of interest is when a distinct strain is found in samples. However, it is upgraded to a variant of concern when it shows :-

• Increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology

• Increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; or

• Decreases effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics.

The WHO has declared that the B. 1.617 variant spreads easily compared to the other variants.

Why do new variants emerge?

It is common for viruses, especially those that are widely circulated like coronavirus, to have changes or mutations to their genetic material as they replicate themselves. Most of the time, these mutations are inconsequential, however, depending on where the changes occur in the virus's genetic material, they may cause the virus to spread more easily or cause a greater severity of illness.

According to WHO, a virus with one or more new mutations is referred to a variant of the virus.

More about B. 1.617 - This variant has three sub-lineages - B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, and B.1.617.3. Of these, the B.1.617.2 has been found to be of most concern. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified all three variants as Variants of Concern. These sub-lineages differ by relevant mutations in the virus spike protein, which allow the virus to enter human cells.

Last week, Public Health England named B.1.617.2 a variant of concern as evidence showed that it has increased transmissibility. On Tuesday, WHO also revealed that this strain has been found in 44 countries.

What is genome sequencing and why is it important?

Genome sequencing is a technique that is used to interpret changes inside the genetic structure of the virus. From positive samples, researchers break open the virus cells, remove the genetic material from it in the form of RNA, convert it into DNA and analyze it.

It is important because it tells how the virus is spreading in the community. Scientists are able to clearly identify new strains and their prominence in areas. This can also help keep vaccines up to date. The United Kingdom is leading the world in this practice.

India's response -

Following the first wave of COVID - 19, there was a lack of effort by the government in keeping track of mutations of the virus that could cause a second wave. Only the Delhi - based Institute of Genomic sand Integrated Biology, along with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad participated in sequencing COVID samples when the first wave peaked.

Moreover, the B. 1.617 variant was detected as early as October in India, and as its mutations were in the virus's critical spike protein, its grave potential should have alerted the country and led to gene surveillance to curb its spread. However, the genome sequencing exercise slowed down even more.

It was only on December 21st, after a new variant was seen in England, that the government formed The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium or INSACOG. But, the work has been slow. Scientists recommend at least 5 percent of positive samples go under genome mapping, but by now, less than 0. 5 percent of samples in India undergo the process. This has partially occurred due to a lack of funding. In a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a former senior beaurocrat in the government wrote that India had reserved 1. 15 billion rupees for the labs, but the first round of funding - 800 million rupees, was only released in March. It is also important to note that as the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, genome sequencing is important for manufacturers to update their vaccines.

In early March, The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium, or INSACOG had warned Central officials about the capacity of the new strain and its potential to cause damage. But its warning was ignored, and elections rallies along with larger gatherings continued. The Kumbh Mela was also held after this warning was issued.

Now, as the country battles lack of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, healthcare workers, etc, it is suffering from a lack of data too. It is important for labs in India to ramp up the sequencing to curb the impact of the third wave in the future, but they require immense support from the government for the same.

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