The numbers of infections returned to the rise with the #Omicron mutant, which has become dominant in many countries, without the protection gained from the vaccine or natural infection standing as a barrier to the infectious virus; People are at risk of re-infection with the Corona virus.
This sub-mutator, which prompted many experts and doctors to warn about it, and which is behind the rise in infections in various countries of the world, is able to spread more, and infect the vaccinated people or those who have finally recovered from it.
The increase in infections is offset by the easing or lifting of preventive measures in the countries that contributed to the faster transmission of infection. The Corona virus has witnessed many mutations, each with its own characteristics, symptoms and recommendations, the latest of which was the emergence of sub-mutants from the Omicron mutant, which appears to be less harmful than the previous mutant, but is faster in spreading and infection.
This prompted the chief medical advisor to US President Joe Biden, Anthony Fauci, to warn of “the rapid spread of the sub-mutant responsible for 60% of HIV infections in the United States,” attributing the reason to “the ability of new strains of Omicron to evade antibodies, and the inability of current vaccines to confront it.”
But what about Lebanon? What is the dominant variable today and is responsible for raising the number of infections?
Bacterial disease specialist Professor Jacques Mokhbat told Al-Nahar that the Omicron mutant produced new mutants branching from it, such as: BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5, and today we are witnessing a mutant within the BA.2.75 mutant, Which recently appeared in India and some European countries.
There is no doubt that the BA.5 mutant has been present in Lebanon for some time, and its symptoms are similar to those of the Omicron mutant, but they are less severe than those of the Delta mutant.
Its most prominent symptoms, which are very similar to the symptoms of filtration, are:
*Pain in the throat
* Runny nose
* headache
* high fever
* It is very rare for a person to get it without showing any symptoms.
What is the danger of this mutation?
Mukhbat sees that the danger of this BA.5 sub-mutant is that it evades antibodies resulting from vaccination or previous infection, which are supposed to provide us (infection or vaccine) protection against infection with this mutant by only 50%. Accordingly, protection from it has become less, and we have to return to the classic methods of prevention, i.e. wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands… which must be relied upon and stressed on its importance and commitment to it.”
Mukhbat stresses the importance of the vaccine, which, despite the decrease in its protection rate, reduces severe complications and reduces the death rate.
Today, there is more and more talk about new vaccines that may begin production in late summer, and they contain many mutant, and have efficacy on both new and old ones.
New recommendations for insulation?
The Professor of Bacterial Diseases explains that the American recommendations require the patient to be quarantined for 5 days at home, before he is allowed to go out, provided that a PCR examination is performed and a mask is worn for 5 days.
But in Lebanon, our recommendations still impose a 7-day quarantine (without conducting an examination), then the infected person can go out provided he wears a mask for 5 days. These Lebanese guidelines are considered more reasonable, safe, and cautious.
Mukhbat also stresses that “commitment to the muzzle is a basic and necessary matter, regardless of the situation after the injury or without it, and we must know that the medical and health decision remains more important than any economic decision, and by this I mean that the injured employee cannot be forced to return unless we are in An emergency situation, and he must maintain social distancing, not engage with others, adhere to the muzzle, and avoid contact with the rest of the employees.”
Mukhbat does not hide that “the number of existing injuries is much higher than the officially registered injuries, and this is due to the fact that a large portion of people are unable to conduct the examination, and there are some who resort to a quick examination to ensure the validity of their injuries. Therefore, it is difficult to count all of these and know them.” Their results, in addition to the fact that there are families who are satisfied with the result of one of their members so that they do not all have to undergo the examination. Therefore, the numbers of injuries are much higher than the numbers issued, and prevention remains the best protection to avoid transmission of infection and the speed of spread.”
Mukhbat concludes, “The infections are on the rise, but the dangerous cases that require hospitalization are still few, and therefore we stress the importance of adhering to the preventive measures that protect against the spread of the virus.”