Omicron subvariant could be 1.5 times more infectious, but not more severe

Portfolio
The BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus variant, already dominant in Denmark, could be 1.5 times more contagious than the more common BA.1 sub-lineage which currently accounts for 98% of all cases globally, Reuters reported, citing Danish officials. The 'stealth' sub-strain may be able to escape an RT-PCR test.
koronavírus omikron szupervariáns

There is no evidence that the BA.2 variant causes more disease, but it must be more contagious,

Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said on Wednesday in a national address, Reuters reported.

The BA.2 sub-strain was first detected in China a couple of weeks ago and the general view is that it has originated in India.

The BA.1 lineage currently accounts for 98% of all cases globally but in Denmark has been pushed aside by BA.2, which became the dominant strain in the second week of January.

BA.2 cases have also been registered in Britain, Sweden and Norway, but to a much lesser extent than in Denmark. The UK Health Security Agency has designated BA.2 a variant under investigation, saying it could have a growth advantage. 

In mid-January, Israel detected some 20 cases of a new sub-variant, discovering that it contains more mutations than the original Omicron and may be more violent.

Preliminary calculations suggest BA.2 could be 1.5 times more infectious than BA.1,

Denmark's top infectious disease authority, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), said in a note on Wednesday.

However, an initial analysis by the institute showed no difference in the risk of hospitalisation for BA.2 compared to BA.1.

There is some indication that it is more contagious, especially for the unvaccinated, but that it can also infect people who have been vaccinated to a greater extent,

SSI's technical director Tyra Grove Krause said at the briefing.

What you need to know about BA.2

The UK Health Service Agency (UKHSA) has designated BA.2 as a “variant under investigation”, saying that it is a level below the status of Omicron, marked a “variant of concern” by the WHO.

“As per UKHSA, 40 countries had reported BA.2 sequences, with the most in Denmark, followed by India, Britain, Sweden and Singapore,” said Dr Mrinal Sircar, director oof Pulmonology and critical care at Fortis Hospital, Noida, India.

While the BA.2 strain is being attributed to faster infection, doctors dismiss the possibility of it being a more severe strain than the present Omicron variant. There is likely to be minimal differences in vaccine effectiveness against BA.1 and BA.2,” Dr Sircar told indianexpress.com.

While the sub variant does not escape an RT-PCR test, “the way the variant was confirmed was by seeing if there was a S gene drop out for BA.1. In BA.2, there is no S gene drop out, it would be difficult to confirm if it is BA.2 or some other variant without a full genome sequencing,” stated Dr Sircar.

The RT- PCR tests done in the labs detect the spike gene (a protein that showcases new variations than the old virus) through sequencing. Though various experts believe that the BA.1 sub-strain may sometimes escape the RT-PCR test, but as of now, that is the only gold standard tests available and do not pose any difference in any of the mutated variants. 

According to the reports by various experts and radiologists worldwide, the current testing kits are designed with high sensitivity and pick up rate to detect all the variants.

Cover photo: Getty Images.

 

More in Economy

forint-fizetes-atlagber-atalgfizetes-netto-brutto-vagyon-osszeg-stock
July 02, 2025 13:47

Hungary to raise wages in September this year and January next year

Teachers' pay increases based on performance evaluation

GettyImages-171413154-család-étel-étkezés-étrend-gyermek-kisgyermek-otthon-reggeli-szendvics
July 02, 2025 09:49

A legendary factory is to be shut down in Hungary, affecting 160 workers

'Bear cheese' is produced here too

GettyImages 1463402564-duna-épület-főváros-idegenforgalom-turizmus-város
July 02, 2025 09:25

Vienna-based research institute publishes stark analysis of Hungary's economic prospects

Situation far from the 'flying start' predicted by the PM

nő parlament budapest
July 02, 2025 09:20

Hungary almost reaches annual net issuance goal in H1 - debt manager

96% of planned yearly net issuance has been completed

catl
July 02, 2025 08:24

Layoffs begin at CATL's battery plant in Debrecen

Presumably linked to the halting of the second plant unit's preparation

GettyImages-1455628122-
July 01, 2025 13:28

New political opinion polls show a steadily growing Tisza lead over Fidesz

Several surveys received in the last week

LATEST NEWS

Detailed search