Thairath Online
14 May 2022 17:28
Thailand opened the country fully since May 1, 2022 and announced the reduction of the Covid warning level from level 4 to level 3 after the overall infection rate has decreased. and prepare for endemic diseases But the situation is distrustful. And in a few days it’s opening the semester. Because of the latest EU Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The covid omicron subspecies BA.4 and BA.5 have been elevated to the category of concern or Variants of Concern (VOC) in Europe.
while the World Health Organization Keep an eye out for such subspecies. Will the epidemic replace the BA.2 strain, which is the world’s main strain? Fewer than 700 cases of the BA.4 subspecies have been identified in 16 countries, and more than 300 cases of the BA.5 subspecies have been identified in at least 17 countries. The infection rate has been high in South Africa since April.
Things to watch out for Because omicron substituents BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than BA.2 omicron strains and may evade both vaccine immunity and immunity from previous infections. But there is no conclusive information on how quickly the epidemic can spread. Or is it more deadly than the original Omikron?
The BA.4 and BA.5 subspecies have the same genetic code as the BA.2 strain, but have two additional mutations in the L452R location, allowing the virus to attach to somatic cells into the human genetic material. as well as the delta species And testing samples for infection should be easier.
Information from the Department of Medical Sciences of Thailand Found that at present, there are 97.6% of subspecies of Omicron, BA.2, and BA.1, only 2.4%, and subspecies BA.4 have not been found, but BA.5 is found in 1 case. brazilian last April have treatment until recovered and returned to the country
However, it should not be underestimated. From the concern of “Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teera Worathanarat” Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Because after the BA.4 subspecies omikron was found in January and BA.5 was found last February, it has spread to various countries around the world, although there are not many. But the country in South Africa The daily growth rate of both strains was 12% higher than the BA.2 strain that is now prevalent worldwide.
including in Portugal The outbreak of the BA.5 subspecies is rapidly increasing. It is expected to become the main strain by May 22, or in just two weeks, as current data confirms both strains are spreading faster. Probably from the ability to dodge more immunity.
In addition, the results of laboratory studies found that People who have not been vaccinated before Despite having been infected with the BA.1 omicron strain before, the immunity after infection Can not protect against subspecies BA.4 and BA.5, therefore vaccination And protecting yourself regularly is essential. The severity of the disease is limited, but it is not expected to differ from the original species.
“The epidemic in Thailand is still ongoing and has opened the country to more international travel There is no intensive screening test for disease. There is a high chance that subspecies BA.4 and BA.5 or even BA.2.12.1 will come into the epidemic in Thailand higher than before. And next week there will be an open class. should live with caution to reduce the risk”.
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