Battling Battlefield 7 (BF.7 / BA.5.2.1.7) !
In China, the Corona virus is causing havoc, killing hundreds of people every day. Hospitals are overloaded every day. Covid has been creating havoc in China since the restrictions were lifted in December. The Omicron subvariant bf.7 is now causing an upsurge in cases in this country. Because the R value of the BF.7 variant is 18, its infectivity rate is relatively high. In other words, a person infected with this strain has the potential to infect up to 18 people. This is perhaps the reason why Covid is expanding so rapidly in China.
Explanation of the Covid BF.7 Variant
Coronavirus cases have been increasing globally since the beginning of November. India presently has control of the situation, while China is struggling significantly. According to some projections, the current rise will kill over two million people in China. According to one epidemiologist, 60% of the Chinese population might become ill in the following six months. Many countries are concerned about the Chinese current corona pandemic, yet India is not at risk. Covid was restricted in China until recently. As a result of insufficient medical policy, the situation in China is deteriorating. Omicron's bf.7 variant is also having a huge impact. Despite the fact that this version landed in India some months ago, it had no effect here.
How did the new variation receive its name?
Battlefield 7 is abbreviated as BF.7. BA.5.2.1.7 is the full title. This is a sub-variant of Omicron's BA.5 version. The BA.5 variety of Omicron has the most recorded cases across the world. In around 76.2% of all instances. The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, on the other hand, were not widely distributed in India. We have the most BA.2.75 samples here. The corona virus is evolving, and mutations can lead to a slew of varieties and sub-variants. This is referred to as convergent evolution. BA.2.75.2, BF.7, and BQ.1.1 are the sub-variants. Which sub-variant is descended from which variety determines the names.
How risky is the Omicron subvariant?
According to Chinese sources, BF.7 is more lethal than the other Omicron sub-variants. Because it spreads swiftly, it has the highest transmissibility. A person infected with BF.7 has the ability to infect a significant number of others. The remaining Omicron variants can infect four people on average and have a shorter incubation period. The interval between being exposed to the virus and experiencing symptoms is referred to as the incubation period. That is, you can capture BF.7 as soon as you contact it.
Is BF.7 also available in India?
Subvariants of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 were identified in the wave earlier this year. BA.4 and BA.5 were afterwards added. Both, however, caused more damage in European countries. In India, just a few BF.7 instances have been documented. This variation was identified in Gujarat and Odisha, and one instance was documented in July, two in September, and one in November.
BF.7 Variant- Symptoms
This variation's symptoms are identical to those of the other Omicron subvariants. Infected people may have fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This sub-variant can cause significant disease in persons with impaired immune systems. If a person has been suffering prolonged physical discomfort, the Covid test should be conducted. A sore throat, weariness, phlegm, and a runny nose are some of the other symptoms.
Precautions for Omicron BF.7
There is limited cure for Corona infection, only the vaccination can protect us from its severe symptoms for the time being. To avoid corona infection, avoid going outside and spend as much time as possible indoors, put your mask on and maintain cleanliness. If you haven't yet received your Covid booster dosage, do so right away.
Written by
Dr Jitendra Narayan CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Mall Road, Delhi
The authors are researchers at the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB). All opinions expressed are personal.