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The delta variant of the virus that causes covid-19 has already been detected in more than 100 countries around the world and continues to spread rapidly.
It is expected to become the dominant variant in the world in the coming months.
Because it is highly contagious, this variant causes new epidemics in some countries, especially in unvaccinated people.
And many governments have had to impose new restrictions on their populations.
In the United States for example, the delta is now responsible for 83% of covid-19 cases.
And with less than half of this country’s population fully vaccinated, the conditions are right for the SARS-COV-2 virus to continue to evolve and spread rapidly.
Here’s what is known about the delta variant of the coronavirus and what you can do to protect yourself.
1. What is the delta variant and how is it different from other variants?
Viruses mutate all the time, and most changes are harmless.
But there are alterations that can make the disease more infectious or dangerous, and mutations tend to dominate.
There are currently thousands of variants of the virus that causes covid-19 circulating around the world.
In the case of delta -o B.1.617.2-, which was first identified in India in December 2020, the virus has undergone genetic changes that have made it more transmissible.
Data released by the UK government indicates that the delta is between 40 and 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant (detected in England) and almost twice as transmissible as the parental strain of SARS-COV-2 identified in Wuhan, China.
One of the changes that made it spread more easily was the one it went through in its S protein, or spike, the part with which it attaches to human cells.
2. Why is it so contagious?
In addition to the virus’ greater efficiency in transmitting, other factors have influenced its rapid spread around the world.
One of the main reasons the delta variant started to spread quickly was its possibility to bypass border controls and quarantine measures.
The easing of restrictions, the “fatigue” of social distancing experienced by many people around the world and the withdrawal in many countries of control measures to prevent contagion, such as wearing masks, have also played a role. role.
And another important factor is the uneven and inequitable distribution of vaccines around the world.
3. What are the symptoms?
In the UK, where the delta variant was dominant in June, the most frequently reported symptoms were headache, sore throat and runny nose.
Professor Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at King’s College London who is leading the so-called Zoe Covid Symptom Study, explains that young people who contract the delta variant may feel “more like they have a bad cold“.
According to the expert, classic symptoms of covid-19, which include cough, fever and loss of smell or taste, are less common with the delta variant, according to data his team has received from thousands of people. people who register. your symptoms in one app.
“Since the beginning of May, we have observed the main symptoms of users of the application, and they are not the same as before,” explains the expert.
Fever is still fairly common, but loss of smell is no longer among the top 10 symptoms, he adds.
“This variant seems to work slightly differently,” explains the epidemiologist.
“People may think that they just had some sort of seasonal cold and that they continue to go to parties and that they can pass it on to other people.
“We think that is fueling a lot of the problem.”
Symptoms seem to vary, however, depending on whether the person has received one or two doses of the vaccine or whether they are not vaccinated.
4. Can I get the delta variant even if I am vaccinated?
Yes.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the greatest spread of cases with severe prognoses occurs in places with low vaccination rates.
However, fully vaccinated people can also get it and spread the virus to others.
“People who are vaccinated appear to be contagious for a shorter period of time,” notes the CDC.
“The earlier variants generally produced less virus in the bodies of fully vaccinated and infected people than in unvaccinated people. In contrast, the delta variant appears to produce the same high amount of virus in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people.”
The CDC says infection in people who have been vaccinated decreases faster than in those who are not vaccinated, suggesting that “people who are fully vaccinated will be infectious for less time than people who are not vaccinated.”
5. Do vaccines protect against the delta variant?
Current vaccines were designed for older versions of the coronavirus, which means they may not match the newer variants perfectly and therefore may not work as well.
But experts say vaccinations are still very effective in protecting lives by reducing the risk of serious illness and hospitalization.
An analysis by the Public Health Organization of England (PHE) found that two doses of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine were more than 90% effective against COVID-19-related hospitalizations caused by the delta variant.
Experts say it is vital that people receive both doses for maximum protection against existing and emerging variants.
And in the meantime, scientists continue to work on modifying existing vaccines so that they can protect against all mutations.
6. If I have been vaccinated before, do I need a booster due to the risk of the delta variant?
At this time, there does not appear to be any data to show that a third dose of vaccine is needed for the general population.
Studies indicate that vaccination generates a lasting response and that protection can last for months or even years.
Vaccines are also known to protect against the more serious effects of the disease.
But with more contagious variants like the delta, scientists say more research is needed on the possibility of offering a booster vaccination.
On the other hand, the WHO has said that before considering booster doses, the main concern right now should be that the majority of people around the world get vaccinated.
And in many low-income countries, only 1% of adults have received a dose of vaccination.
7. Is the delta variant the most dangerous for children?
In the United States, there have been reports of a gradual increase in the number of children admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 in recent months.
This has raised concerns among some clinicians that the highly contagious delta variant is responsible for this increase.
But so far, it’s unclear whether the delta is causing an increase in pediatric cases of COVID-19 or whether this variant causes more serious illness in children.
“There is no strong evidence that the disease is more serious (in children),” Dr. Jim Versalovic, acting chief of pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, told The New York Times.
“We are certainly seeing severe cases, but we have seen severe cases throughout the pandemic,” he added.
8. How can I reduce my risk of getting the delta variant?
Experts point out that with what is known so far about the delta variant, it is necessary to continue prevention strategies to reduce its spread.
For now, the best protection is vaccination, but, as the CDC points out, “we need to use whatever strategies are available, including wearing the mask indoors in public places, to stop the transmission “.
“Although vaccines are very effective, they are not perfect and infections will continue to occur even among those vaccinated,” says the CDC.
“This means that although the risk of becoming infected during vaccination is low, thousands of people vaccinated will be infected and could infect others, especially with the rapid spread of the delta variant.”
“And that in turn will increase the chances of disturbing new variants emerging,” the agency warns.
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