On the advice of the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution, on November 26, 2021 the WHO designated a new SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529) which was first reported to WHO from South Africa, as a variant of concern (VOC) because of its high number of S1 mutations, and “potential” to evade immunity (i.e. vaccine effectiveness). They gave it the name Omicron, notably skipping the Greek alphabet letters “Nu” and “Xi”. [2, 3, 9]
Dr Coetzee from South Africa said “it was unfortunate that Omicron had been hyped as “this extremely dangerous virus variant” with multiple mutations while its virulence was still unknown.” So far patients suspected of having the new variant showed “only mild symptoms” different from other variants which resulted in severe symptoms. Over half of the patients were vaccinated. [1, 7, 8]
Four fully vaccinated travelers to Botswana tested positive for this new variant.
Countries health agencies and the media have gone into panic mode promoting booster shots and suspending travel, while frontline doctors call for a little health perspective.
All this is happening on the back of South Africa rejecting COVID-19 vaccine batches and now CEPI seeing it as an opportunity to tighten the “huge gap between COVID-19 vaccinations in richer and poorer countries” and use Africa as a testing ground.
The Omicron variant has achieved “immune escape from all three major antibody classes”, decreasing natural immunity preventing infection, though symptoms still mild. [5, 6]
The Omicron variant is evolutionary unusual, linking back to mid-2020. There are many theories emerging how this happened, including from virologist Christian Drosten and a possible HIV-SARS-CoV-2 infected individual as the reservoir! Or maybe it is man-made!
By Dec 15, 2021 genome analysis shows potential mouse overlap, the same animal use in virology laboratories. [4]
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