The hybrid Deltacron is in India. Is it more dangerous? Know symptoms and more

If you believe Covid is over, you are living under a rock. While everyone believed that the Omicron BA.2 variant may lead the fourth wave in India, another variant is waiting right there for the whole world. And it is the mixture of two variants: Delta and Omicron, known as Deltacron.

The Delta variant affected people during the second wave while Omicron's spread lead to the rise of the third wave in India. The Delta variant majorly affects the upper respiratory system and patients experience difficulty in breathing with low oxygen levels. On the other hand, Omicron represents common cold-like symptoms.

Deltacron is a new concern right now.

HOW WAS DELTACRON DETECTED?

According to a recent report, Deltacron made its first appearance in mid-February. Scientists from Institut Pasteur, Paris, France shared a genetic sequence of the variant. This sequence is very different from the previous variants. The sequence, which came from a sample of an elderly man in France was confirmed to be of Deltacron.

Scientists have also revealed that there may be different kinds of Deltacron, based on samples collected in the UK and US. The samples collected in some countries are different from those collected in others.

DELTACRON IN INDIA:

Many states in India have also reported Deltacron cases. According to a report by TelanganaToday, there are 568 Covid sequences under investigation in various genetic laboratories that contain samples of both Delta and Omicron variants.

So far, 25 Deltacron cases have been reported in Telangana, 221 in Karnataka, 90 in Tamil Nadu, 66 in Maharashtra, 33 in Gujarat, 32 in West Bengal and 20 in New Delhi.

AROUND THE WORLD:

Other than France, the Deltacron variant has been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands, the US and the UK.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DELTACRON?

According to the National Health Service, the UK, the symptoms of Deltacron are quite similar to previously reported Covid-19 symptoms. Researchers are still studying the hybrid variant. Some of the commonly observed symptoms are: high fever, severe cough and loss of taste and smell.

COMMENTS FROM WHO:

WHO has also made a statement about the new variant, "Yes, we are aware of the recombinant. It is a combination of Delta (AY.4) and Omicron (BA.1). It's been detected, but there are very low levels of this detection", Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID-19 Technical Lead of WHO said.

"This is something that's expected given the large amount of circulation that we say with both Omicron and Delta", they added.

It is still not clear which variant will fuel the fourth wave in India. Until now, Omicron BA.2 variant and Deltacron are the two main variants that are under observation.