[앵커]
The ‘BA.2’ virus, called ‘stealth omicron’ because it is difficult to distinguish from other mutations, is spreading rapidly around the world, increasing difficulties.
Scientists are very nervous when the initial analysis revealed that the stealth Omicron’s radio wave power is 1.5 times stronger than the existing ‘BA.1’ Omicron.
This is reporter Lee Kwang-yeop.
[기자]
India’s number of COVID-19 infections in some states has peaked and is on the decline, but there are more concerns.
This is because the number of infections continues to increase mainly in the southern regions, and recently, ‘BA.
[수지트 쿠마 싱 / 인도국립질병통제센터 국장 : 오늘 우리는 BA.2 변이 감염의 지역 내 비율 증가를 확인했습니다.]
In the United States, the number of new infections in Minnesota has reached its peak, and Wisconsin has entered a downward trend, but now we are concerned about the increase in ‘BA.2’ infections.
[커티스 스토얼리 / 마요클리닉 데이터 과학자 : 바이러스는 계속 진화할 것입니다. 이미 새 변이 ‘BA.2’ 소식을 접하고 있는데 결국 면역력이 약화될 것입니다.]
The so-called ‘stealth omicron’, which is difficult to distinguish from other mutations with existing gene amplification and PCR tests, is rapidly spreading in more than 50 countries.
It was estimated that the ‘BA.2’ type infection was highest in Denmark with over 80%, followed by the UK at 9% and the US at 8%.
An initial study in Denmark showed that the infectivity of type BA.2 was 1.5 times stronger than that of conventional BA.1, a cousin.
A UK study also found that type BA.2 infections were more likely to cause familial transmission.
However, even with BA.2 infection, the number of severe cases does not increase, and it is observed that there is no significant difference in the effect of vaccination.
Scientists are focusing on characterizing the mutation, keeping a close eye on the possibility that BA.1 infection could re-infect BA.2.
This is YTN Lee Kwang-yeop.
YTN Lee Kwang-yeop (kyuplee@ytn.co.kr)
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