March 29, 2022

The so-called stealth Omicron variant is now the dominant COVID-19 pressure within the United States, in accordance with knowledge from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also generally known as BA.2, the pressure comprised practically 55 % of home coronavirus circumstances for the week ending March 26.

The variant, which has been seen in increased numbers on the East Coast, was solely accountable for 35 % of circumstances throughout the week ending in March 19 and 22 % every week earlier than, in accordance with the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

BA. 2 now accounts for greater than 70 % of circumstances within the Northeast.

The Omicron subvariant is extra contagious than the unique however doesn’t seem to trigger extra extreme illness. BA.2 spreads about 1.5 occasions sooner than the unique Omicron pressure, although it has not elevated hospitalizations or decreased vaccine effectiveness.

The pressure has been detected in excessive numbers all through a number of different international locations, together with Denmark, the United Kingdom and India.

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FRIDAY, Feb. 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) — If the pandemic taught the world nothing else, it is that viruses can mutate, probably giving rise to new and extra dangerous variants.

Now, new analysis reveals that is precisely what has occurred with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Called VB (for virulent subtype B), the “new” HIV variant truly appears to have emerged greater than 30 years in the past. But its existence was solely lately confirmed by a staff of genetic researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Finland.

That it has largely flown below the radar might mirror the truth that the VB variant has solely been present in 109 HIV-positive sufferers to this point, most of them Dutch. But though not widespread, the priority is that — absent preventive therapy — the variant appears to assault a affected person’s immune system rather more aggressively than extra frequent strains.

Even so, research writer Chris Wymant, a senior researcher in statistical genetics and pathogen dynamics with the University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute, is adamant that “the general public needn’t be nervous.”

For one factor, he famous that whereas there could also be extra VB-infected sufferers than is at the moment recognized, the quantity is “unlikely to be dramatically larger than what we discovered.” The 109 sufferers already recognized arenot, Wymant stated, “the tip of the iceberg.”

And most critically, present antiretroviral therapies (ART) stay very efficient at maintaining the VB variant at bay.

So, the actual worth of this discovery is to re-emphasize “the significance of [the] steerage that was already in place — that people liable to buying HIV have entry to common testing to permit early analysis, adopted by speedy therapy,” Wymant defined.

“This limits the period of time HIV can harm a person’s immune system and jeopardize their well being,” he famous. “It additionally ensures that HIV is suppressed as shortly as doable, which prevents transmission to different people.”

In the Feb. 4 challenge of Science, Wymant and his colleagues described how the brand new variant was first found by means of the continued efforts of the so-called BEEHIVE challenge.

BEEHIVE was launched in 2014 in recognition of the truth that “HIV mutates so shortly that each particular person has a virus which is completely different from everybody else’s,” Wymant stated, although he confused that, as a sensible matter, “the big majority of those mutations make no distinction.”

But Wymant identified that amongst these not already on a one-pill-a-day ART routine, HIV appears to have an effect on sufferers “in a remarkably variable means.”

“Some progress to AIDS inside months,” he famous, “whereas others don’t progress after a long time. Some have viral masses — ranges of virus — 1000’s of occasions larger than others. [And] analysis by our staff, and others earlier than the BEEHIVE challenge, established that this variability is partly as a result of virus, not solely as a result of folks’s immune techniques various of their capacity to combat the virus.”

So, the BEEHIVE scientists got down to repeatedly monitor incoming knowledge from seven completely different HIV research throughout Europe and Africa, with the purpose being to establish and observe any viral adjustments that may considerably alter the way in which a virus that has already claimed 33 million lives behaves.

Enter the VB variant, which was initially recognized in simply 15 sufferers within the Netherlands, one in Switzerland and one in Belgium. A subsequent deep dive into the viral underpinnings of greater than 6,700 HIV-positive sufferers unearthed one other 92 VB-infected sufferers.

The investigators discovered that sufferers contaminated with the VB variant had HIV viral masses amounting to three.5 to five.5 occasions larger than could be present in sufferers contaminated with different recognized variants. The VB variant was additionally discovered to be rather more transmissible.

And absent therapy, the staff noticed that, on common, VB-infected sufferers of their 30s progressed to “superior HIV” in simply 9 months. That is far quicker than is typical amongst these contaminated with different variants, stated Wymant, with older sufferers more likely to expertise even faster illness development.

Why? Because of a far quicker drop within the affected person’s CD4 cell rely, a key marker for immune system harm.

Still, the excellent news is superb: as soon as VB-infected sufferers are placed on antiretroviral remedy, survival charges had been simply as robust as with every different HIV variant. And whereas acknowledging that much more lethal variants might ultimately floor, Wymant famous that, to this point, “that is an instance of one thing that fortunately appears to be uncommon.”

The principal message is that “we have to guarantee well timed HIV analysis and fast provision of antiretroviral medicine,” agreed Joel Wertheim, an affiliate professor within the division of medication on the University of California, San Diego.

“Viruses are always evolving,” Wertheim famous. “The COVID-19 pandemic retains reminding us of that in real-time.”

That signifies that “HIV testing is as necessary as ever,” he confused. “If folks do not know they have been contaminated, they cannot take the precautions wanted to restrict transmission. This is true no matter HIV variant, and doubly so the place this extra virulent variant has been noticed.”

More data

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for extra on HIV.

SOURCES: Chris Wymant, PhD, senior researcher, statistical genetics and pathogen dynamics, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield division of medication, University of Oxford, U.Ok.; Joel Wertheim, PhD, affiliate professor, division of medication, University of California, San Diego; Science, Feb. 4, 2022

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Dec. 1, 2021 — The first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus within the United States was confirmed by officers at the moment in a person in California who had just lately traveled to South Africa. He or she was totally vaccinated towards COVID-19 and skilled solely “gentle signs which might be bettering,” officers with the CDC mentioned.

The affected person, who was not named within the CDC’s annoucement of the primary U.S. case of the Omicron variant on Wednesday, is self-quarantining.

“All shut contacts have been contacted and have examined detrimental,” officers mentioned. 

White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients reiterated that the primary case was not surprising. 

“The president’s medical crew continues to consider that present vaccines will present some stage of safety towards extreme sickness from Omicron, and people who’ve gotten boosters have even stronger safety,” Zients mentioned in a press release. 

“This new variant is trigger for continued vigilance, not panic,” he mentioned. “We know what it takes to restrict the unfold of COVID: Get vaccinated, get boosted, and take public well being measures like masking and distancing.”

The Omicron variant, first recognized in South Africa, has been reported in nations around the globe in current days. Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Germany every reported this variant, as have Italy and the Netherlands. Over the weekend, the primary North American circumstances have been recognized in Canada. It’s at present been present in a minimum of 23 nations, the World Health Organization mentioned Wednesday. 

Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, introduced over the weekend that this latest variant was seemingly already within the U.S., telling ABC’s This Week its look right here was “inevitable.”

Similar to earlier variants, this new pressure seemingly began circulating within the U.S. earlier than scientists may do genetic checks to substantiate its presence.

The WHO named Omicron a “variant of concern” on Friday, though a lot stays unknown about how effectively it spreads, how extreme it may be, and the way it might resist vaccines. In the meantime, the U.S. enacted journey bans from a number of South African nations.

It stays to be seen if Omicron will comply with the sample of the Delta variant, which was first recognized within the U.S. in May and have become the dominant pressure by July. It’s additionally potential it should comply with the trail taken by the Mu variant. Mu emerged in March and April to a lot concern, solely to fizzle out by September as a result of it was unable to compete with the Delta variant.

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Nov. 29, 2021 — Health consultants throughout the globe are elevating considerations concerning the newly found COVID-19 variant, Omicron, which was first recognized in South Africa. The nation’s minister of well being introduced final week that the variant had already unfold in several areas of the nation.

The subsequent day, the World Health Organization designated Omicron a “variant of concern.”

President Joe Biden echoed this assertion at a information briefing at the moment, however he confused that the brand new variant is a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic.”

COVID-19 vaccine makers are trying into the vaccine’s safety towards the brand new variant.

“The mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning, and for several days, we have been moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant,” Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, mentioned in a press release.

Pfizer says that knowledge about its vaccine’s safety towards Omicron must be launched within the coming weeks.

Quite a lot of international locations are making efforts to stop the worldwide unfold of Omicron. The U.S. is only one of quite a lot of international locations which have positioned new journey restrictions on South Africa and its neighboring international locations.

So, what makes Omicron totally different from different COVID-19 variants? And how involved ought to we be? Health consultants assist us break it down. And go right here to study extra about COVID-19 variants. 

What Do We Know About the Omicron Variant So Far?

There is quite a bit that we don’t find out about Omicron, together with whether or not it causes extra extreme sickness than different variants, says Leana Wen, MD, an emergency physician and public well being professor at George Washington University.

But what we do know is that it’s a variant with an unusually excessive variety of mutations, or modifications within the virus’s genetic materials.

Early proof additionally exhibits that the Omicron variant might unfold simpler than different COVID-19 variants, she says.

“That’s very concerning because Delta, which is the dominant variant here in the U.S. and around the world, is already extremely contagious. So, if this is even more contagious, it could displace the Delta variant,” says Wen.

Is the Omicron Variant within the US?

As of proper now, no instances of the Omicron variant have been reported within the US.

Either method, you must keep calm, says William Schaffner, MD, a professor of preventive medication and infectious illnesses at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

“Even if it were to be here in the United States, the dominant — the 99% that is causing disease in your community today — that strain is Delta,” he says.

“And we know the vaccines work against Delta.”

Will COVID-19 vaccines present sufficient safety towards the Omicron variant?

“We don’t know whether the large number of mutations renders the vaccines less effective against this variant,” says Wen.

“Although many scientists believe — especially with a booster shot — that it’s not going to render the vaccines ineffective.”

What are widespread signs of the Omicron variant?

We don’t have that data but, says Wen.

With a lot nonetheless unknown, what can I do proper now to guard my household and I from the Omicron variant?

If you’re nonetheless weighing whether or not you must get a COVID-19 shot, the Omicron variant is one main cause to get vaccinated as quickly as doable, Wen says.

“That includes adolescents and children 5 to 11.”

This can be a good time to get your COVID-19 booster, in response to Schaffner.

Booster photographs increase your antibody ranges, which provides you each longer safety and stronger immune response towards COVID-19 variants, he says.

“I can’t tell you exactly what it [a booster shot] will do against Omicron, but there is likely to be, at the very least, partial protection,” Schaffer says.

“And partial protection is always better than no protection.”

What Should I Be Most Concerned About With the Omicron Variant?

Virus unfold, severe sickness, and vaccine effectiveness work hand in hand. Therefore, all three are regarding, Wen says.

“Let’s say that something is more transmissible, but it doesn’t cause more severe disease and the vaccines work very well against it. That’s not particularly concerning,” says Wen.

“Or, if something is not very contagious but it’s still more severe, it’s also not as concerning because it’s not going to displace Delta.”

“So, it really is a combination of these factors that could make this variant very worrisome.”

The post What We Know – and Don’t — About the Omicron COVID Variant appeared first on Healthy and Slim Life.

Nov. 29, 2021 — President Joe Biden stated Monday that out there vaccines are anticipated to supply some safety in opposition to the brand new Omicron COVID-19 variant, and federal well being officers are working to assemble extra data on its efficiency earlier than the primary circumstances are detected within the United States.

He was accompanied by prime infectious illness skilled Anthony Fauci, MD. The president had been briefed by well being officers on Sunday.

Biden stated he doesn’t anticipate lockdowns or tighter restrictions, and he hopes to struggle the variant by growing vaccination charges.

“This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” he stated. “We’ll fight this variant with scientific and knowledgeable actions and speed, not chaos and confusion. We have more tools today to fight the variant than we ever have before.”

Scientists can be working over the subsequent a number of weeks to study extra in regards to the virus and to find out the extent of safety offered by out there COVID-19 photographs. Omicron was first detected in South Africa, prompting Biden to implement a journey ban, and circumstances have now been reported in a number of European nations in addition to Canada.

Biden praised the South African well being neighborhood for shortly notifying the world of this variant, and he stated the journey ban was put in place to supply extra time for U.S. residents to get vaccinated and boosted.

“The best protection against this new variant, or any of the variants out there, is getting fully vaccinated and getting a booster shot,” he stated.

He continued: “While it’ll be a few weeks before we’ll know everything we need to know about how strong the existing vaccines protect against the variant, Dr. Fauci, who is with me today, and our medical team believe that the vaccines will continue to provide a degree of protection against severe disease.”

He urged folks to proceed carrying masks indoors in public settings for an additional layer of safety.

In the unlikely occasion that the vaccines usually are not efficient in opposition to the variant, Biden stated, the White House is working with Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson to “develop contingency plans for boosters if needed.”

“I will also direct the FDA and CDC to use the fastest process available without cutting any corners for safety to get these vaccines approved and on the market, if needed,” he stated.

But he pressured that that is unlikely.

“As we continue this effort, let’s remember where we stand,” he stated. “We’re in a very different place as we enter the month of December, compared to where we were last Christmas.”

He famous that just one% of American adults have been vaccinated final December, and this December, that quantity can be over 70%.

“If you are vaccinated but still worried about the new variant, get your booster,” he stated. “If you aren’t vaccinated, go get that first shot.”

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Nov. 26, 2021 — The World Health Organization on Friday categorised a brand new COVID-19 variant from South Africa as a “variant of concern,” which suggests it could possibly be extra contagious, trigger extra extreme illness and cut back the efficacy of vaccines and coverings.

The WHO convened an unbiased group of consultants on Friday to evaluate the brand new variant primarily based on the fast enhance in COVID-19 infections in South Africa this week. Known scientifically as B.1.1.529, the variant was named Omicron.

“Omicron has some concerning properties. This variant has a large number of mutations, and some of these mutations have some worrying characteristics,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on the coronavirus pandemic, stated in a video assertion.

“Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other [variants of concern],” the WHO stated in a press release. “The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa.”

In response, the White House introduced new journey restrictions in opposition to flights from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Foreign nationals from these nations will likely be prohibited from getting into the United States.

“These new restrictions will take effect on November 29,” President Joe Biden stated in a press release.” As we transfer ahead, we’ll proceed to be guided by what the science and my medical staff advises.”

The U.S. hasn’t detected any circumstances of the brand new variant but, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, informed CNN. 

“Right now, we’re getting the material together with our South African colleagues to get to a situation where you could actually directly test it,” Fauci stated. “So, right now you’re talking about … a red flag that this might be an issue — but we don’t know.”

Scientists in South Africa started monitoring the variant this week after a leap in COVID-19 circumstances and reported the variant to the WHO on Wednesday. The first identified confirmed an infection was from a pattern collected on Nov. 9, the WHO stated.

Several labs have discovered that one broadly used take a look at could possibly be a dependable approach to detect the brand new variant. The WHO’s virus evolution advisory group has began “a number of studies” to guage Omicron and can announce new findings as wanted, Van Kerkhove stated Friday.

Based on the proof to date, the WHO suggested nations to boost their surveillance and genomic sequencing efforts to raised perceive the variant. The WHO additionally requested that nations submit genomic sequences to public databases, equivalent to GISAID. On Friday, 66 sequences of the B.1.1.529 variant had been reported to GISAID, together with 58 in South Africa, six in Botswana and two in Hong Kong.

The WHO additionally requested nations to conduct subject investigations and lab analyses in regards to the severity of the variant, in addition to immune responses, antibody neutralization and effectiveness of public well being and social measures.

“Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces and getting vaccinated,” the WHO stated.

Biden known as on different nations to extend vaccine donations to poorer nations.

“The news about this new variant should make clearer than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations,” Biden stated. “The United States has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined. It is time for other countries to match America’s speed and generosity.”

Israel imposed a journey ban masking most of Africa after discovering its first case in somebody who had just lately traveled from Malawi. A rising record of nations halted or restricted flights, together with Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore, The New York Times reported.

“We are currently at the threshold of an emergency situation,” Naftali Bennett, the prime minister of Israel, stated in a press release.

“I ask everyone to be prepared and to fully join in the work around the clock,” he stated.

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It is feasible that pets with different signs could not have been seen by these medical doctors, whose focus was cardiology, Ferasin stated.

The examine was printed Nov. 4 within the journal Veterinary Record. Subsequent studies in a number of European nations have additionally discovered home pets testing optimistic for the virus, Ferasin stated.

From the analysis, it seems that the virus handed from the people to the pets. There isn’t any proof that the virus handed from pets to people, he famous.

“It appears to be like just like the virus can solely be handed from people to pets and that is most likely an important message, to keep away from the kind of a panic response in response to this publication,” Ferasin stated. “We don’t need individuals to suppose that they might catch COVID from animals. It’s most likely extra probably the opposite means round.”

Dr. Jose Arce, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, reiterated the message that the instances appear to be spreading from people to animals.

“While COVID is primarily a human illness, there are documented instances of COVID infections in animals,” Arce stated, noting that this consists of wildlife in zoos, home pets, and the animals at mink farms.

In most instances, the animals have very delicate illness, Arce stated. Like with people, those that are immunocompromised would possibly develop extra extreme signs.

Pet homeowners can defend their furry buddies with the identical sorts of precautions that defend different people round them together with washing arms completely, particularly earlier than touching the pet, and carrying a masks.

Masks shouldn’t be placed on pets as a result of they are not made to be secure for them, Arce stated.

If attainable, somebody who has COVID-19 ought to attempt to keep away from contact with their pet if there’s one other one that can look after the animal, Arce stated.

But, “when you’re optimistic and also you wish to board your canine within the hospital, do not simply present up within the door. Call forward of time, so we will take the required precautions,” Arce added.

A pet that travels backwards and forwards between part of the home the place somebody quarantining with COVID-19 resides and one other half the place there are people who find themselves not sick might deliver the virus between the 2 teams on its coat, so Arce additionally cautioned towards having pets journey between sick and wholesome members of the family.

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