Viruses are programmed to mutate. Since the emergence of the original SARs-CoV-2 virus, there have been several mutations that have occurred, leading to variour strains and sub-strains of COVID-19.
US Health authorities have now warned against a new COVID-19 variant, HV.1, which is set to become the next dominant strain in the country. Up until now, ever since December 2021, Omicron has mutated several times, challenging people's immune system and the effectiveness of the vaccines.
As per reports, HV.1 cases are rising rapidly, almost ready to replace the current dominant variant, EG.5.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), the new COVID variant came to light in mid-summer, before cases began to surge in September. Currently, the new strain makes up almost one in five cases in the United States, that is equal to 20% of the cases.
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What Is HV.1 COVID Variant?
The HV.1 variant is related to the Omicron strain and is a sublineage of the XBB subvariant of the COVID-19, Dr John Paul, Consultant in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, SPARSH Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, told the OnlyMyHealth team, adding, “Although early july, it was noticed in small proportions, over the last 4 months, it has increased to cause at least 1 in every 4 cases of COVID.”
According to several reports, the new HV.1 strain exhibits multiple alterations in its spike protein compared to EG.5. This spike protein is the key attachment point used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, to bind to your cells and induce illness.
How Worried Should We Be?
Due to its rapid rise from 0.5% of cases in mid-July to nearly 20% of cases in mid-October, health experts believe that the new HV.1 strain is highly infectious. But whether or not it is concerning is too early to tell.
As far as severity goes, there is so far no evidence to suggest that it leads to any severe form of the disease and it is predominantly a mild illness in the majority of the populations, according to Dr Paul. He said, “Only people at extremes of age, with comorbidities and a compromised immune system, remain at risk of severe COVID-19 infection.”
In addition, for any strain or new mutant of virus to be called a variant of concern, it has to impact on three parameters:
1) Rate of transmission
2) Severity of illness
3)If it would compromise the efficacy of the current vaccines available.
Going by these parameters, Dr Paul said that it is too early to say that the HV.1 would be a variant of concern.
Symptoms Of The New HV.1 COVID Variant
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There have been no reports of new health ailments arising with the HV.1 COVID variant. The symptoms remain consistent with other COVID symptoms, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea, as reported by the CDC.
Also Read: No COVID Antibodies After 3 Or More Vaccinations: New Study Reveals People Most At Risk Of Infection
How To Protect Ourselves?
There is no definite or guaranteed way to prevent a COVID-19 infection. However, a few steps can keep you and your loved ones protected. These include:
- Getting vaccinated if you are eligible as COVID vaccines have been proven to be effective in reducing the risk of infection, severe illness, and transmission
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Wear a mask in crowded places, especially when social distancing is impossible
- Maintain a 6 feet distance from people who are sick or have cold symptoms.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Stay updated on the latest information and guidelines from trusted sources.
The Role Of Vaccines
“As far as the effectiveness of the vaccines are concerned, the mRNA COVID vaccines, which are boosted for the current strains, should have some protective effect against the new variant as well, as per the evidence so far,” Dr Paul said. However, more evidence and data is needed to reach a definite conclusion, as per the doctor.
Discussing in detail the evolution of the viruses and why and how they mutate, Dr Mushfiya Bahrainwala, General Physician, Apollo Clinic, Pune, explained, "Viruses keep replicating and in the process, they undergo copying errors, which leads to genetic mutations. Over time, these errors lead to changes to the viruses, especially to the surface proteins and the antigens. They do this so that they can move from host to host more effectively, they can be produced faster, they can adhere to the surfaces of the target host cells and one of the main reasons for genetic mutations in the viruses is for their survival, so that they can evade our immune system and the vaccines."
Speaking of vaccines, the doctor shared that they do not provide us with 100% protection. Although they protect us from severe illnesses, given the mutations in the virus, they may not be as effective.
Since the viruses keep mutating, they keep changing, and so the immunity from vaccines against the infections that have occurred before the antibodies were produced are not effective enough for the new variants. Therefore, we need to get re-vaccinated and the vaccines need regular updation, the doctor added.