The new variant is being called, BV-1, referring to its origin in the Brazos Valley. Although only one case has been identified, scientists are watching closely as this new strain shows signs of resistance to immune system antibodies. A potentially vaccine-resistant Covid-19 variant creates new challenges for public health workers.

According to the press release, a Texas A&M student tested positive for Covid-19 on March 5th. Most labs reserve genetic sequencing for severe cases of Covid-19, but the research scientists at Texas A&M have taken a different approach by sequencing Covid strains from severe, mild, and asymptomatic infections.

Genetic sequencing provides public policymakers with more information to better guide health policy. This comprehensive approach enables the early detection of new health threats as the research team closely monitors the coronavirus circulating strains in Texas.

Testing has slowed in Texas but remains a critical element of our fight against the pandemic. Testing allows us to diagnose and treat those who have Covid-19. Testing enables health workers to do contact tracing and find others who may have been exposed. Testing with genetic sequencing provides information to the public health system to track trends in specific communities.

The CDC tracks the various coronavirus strains and categorizes them into lineages. The viral groups are then categorized as variants of concern (VOC) or variants of interest (VOI). At this point, BV-1 is uncategorized. The Uk strain, B.1.1.7, is the dominant strain in most states, including Texas. The B.1.1.7 variant accounts for 44.7% of the cases load in Texas.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States

Scientists track the emerging variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted. They also monitor the variants response to our currently FDA-approved vaccines.

The B.1.1.7 variant first emerged in the UK during September 2020 but quickly became a dominant variant worldwide. It has a specific mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This mutation makes it easier to spread. The UK reported evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death in January. Other early reports found no evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant impacted the severity of the disease. These reports also showed our vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7.

One case of Covid BV-1 may seem like no big deal. The discovery of the new variant raised eyebrows because Covid BV-1 may be resistant to antibodies. BV-1 has some genetic similarities to the B.1.1.7 variant (UK strain), which has proven to more contagious and potentially more dangerous. BV-1 also shares genetic markers with other coronavirus strains that can bypass neutralizing antibodies.

Sharing the discovery of the BV-1 variant is essential because of its genetic similarity to other coronavirus strains that can evade the immune system antibodies.

Antibodies are present in our bodies after natural infection or after vaccination. To reach herd immunity, enough people must have antibodies to prevent a virus from spreading. Data shows Covid-19 survivors generated antibodies after natural infection, and patients with a mild disease lose this protection faster than those who had a severe illness.

The Texas A&M University researchers provide large amounts of data to help Texas public health officials and the CDC monitor potential threats to our community. This data will be critically important as we move into the next phase of the pandemic and address the growing needs of those with post-Covid conditions.

A recent report shows one out of three Covid-19 survivors continue to have symptoms after their initial infection resolves. Stories about “Covid long haulers” are popping up worldwide.

The post Here is What We Know about the Brazos County Covid-19 Variant appeared first on Medika Life.

According to Rochelle Walensky, MD, CDC director, the B.1.1.7 variant is already the dominant strain in at least five regions in the US. Little wonder when you see how transmissible the strain is. Between and 50 and 70% more than the original strain and as we’ve come to expect, all the usual suspects (Florida, Texas, and Michigan) are reporting worrying trends in hospitalization in recent days, cases involving the variants. You can use the CDC link below to access a mapping tool that will allow you to check the levels of variants in your area. The tool can be found here and includes data and figures. (see screenshot)

At the moment the CDC lists five “variants of concern.” These are defined as ones

“for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (increased hospitalizations or deaths), a significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.”

The CDC uses a three-tier classification system to establish a risk profile for each variant. There are no variants yet classified under the most serious listing.

• “variant of high consequence” as the most worrisome group,
• “variant of concern” and then
• “variant of interest.”

The CDC has provided the following information on each of the know variants.

B.1.1.7, first detected in the U.K.:

• About 50 percent more transmissible
• Likely causes increased disease severity based on hospitalizations and case fatality rates
• Minimal effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Minimal effect on neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 12,505 cases of this variant as of April 1, with Florida (2,351), Michigan (1,237) and Colorado (894) recording the highest number of cases.

P.1, first detected in Brazil and Japan:

• No information provided regarding transmission
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Moderate effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• No information provided regarding the effects of past infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 323 cases of this variant as of April 1.

B.1.351, first detected in South Africa:

• About 50 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Moderate effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 224 cases of this variant as of April 1.

B.1.427, first detected in California:

• About 20 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Significant effect on neutralization by some, but not all, therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The CDC is not yet providing national case counts for this variant.

B.1.429, first detected in California:

• About 20 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Significant effect on neutralization by some, but not all, therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The CDC is not yet providing national case counts for this variant.

The post CDC Breaks Down Covid Variants in the US as of April 1 appeared first on Medika Life.