AY.4.2 variant

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – AY.4.2 variant is rapidly spreading.

Concept –

Viruses constantly mutate. And the same is the case with SARS-CoV-2, the novel Coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
The AY.4.2 is a sublineage of the Delta variant of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus or B.1.617.2.
This sub-lineage contains two mutations in its spike protein.
As of now, there is no biological basis for increased transmissibility of AY.4.2, as judged epidemiologically, and further examination is going on
The INSACOG weekly bulletin says vaccine effectiveness does not seem to be different for AY.4.2, compared to other Delta variants.
4.2 frequency in India is too low to be a variant of concern at this point in time. It is less than 0.1 per cent of all variants of concern (VOC) or variant of interest (VOI), according to INSACOG.

Most virulent variant of Covid so far –

Delta is the most contagious among all variants so far.
It is considered a variant of concern by the WHO and CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) because it appears to be more easily transmitted from one person to another.