BQ.1: what is known about the omicron variant discovered in Brazil

The variant circulating in Europe and the United States should cause an increase in infections in Brazil in the coming weeks as well

A new variant of the coronavirus, called BQ.1, has been identified in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Municipal Department of Health.

The variant had already been found in Amazonas on October 20, according to the Fiocruz unit in the state, which reinforces the hypothesis that it circulates in different parts of the country.

In an interview with BBC News Brasil, Rio de Janeiro’s municipal health secretary Daniel Soranz explained that the patient diagnosed in the city is a 35-year-old woman, resident in the north and without severe symptoms.

“It was already in four doses of the vaccine, so the symptoms are mild and similar to infections with other variants.”

“The patient had not traveled, which means that this variant is already causing transmissions locally,” completes the secretary.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, interpreted by infectious disease specialist Andre Lazzeri Cortez, among the capitals, the city of Rio de Janeiro had the highest number of cases in the last epidemiological week: 2202 people were infected. Subsequently, Recife presents 1333, Goiânia 611, Manaus 506 and São Paulo 479.

The characteristics of BQ.1

According to infectious disease specialist Alberto Chebabo, president of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, BQ.1 is derived from the ômicron variant.

“It is the same strain that is circulating in Europe today and has caused an increase in infections in countries like Germany and France.”

There are no changes in terms of symptoms, which continue to be, for most patients, headache, cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss of smell and taste.

The main feature that differentiates it from other strains, explains the doctor, is a much greater escape from vaccine protection.

BQ.1 has mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of Sars-CoV-2 that allows it to bind and infect our cells.

Among them is the R346T mutation, also found in the BA.5 variant, which is associated by studies with significant immune leakage and even evasion of antibodies caused by natural infections by other omcron subvariants.

“But what we see happening in Europe is that as long as people have the recall, it exceeds their immunity to infection, but it doesn’t cause serious cases.”

In Rio de Janeiro, according to Soranz, of the 47 patients hospitalized in the city, 92% did not take the booster or any other dose of the vaccine.

An increase in cases is expected

The variant was identified in Rio de Janeiro by Fiocruz. “We have a sentinel unit that selects positive case samples in the city and sends them for genetic sequencing. We have been doing this regularly since 2021,” says the city secretary of health.

Soranz points out that the sub-variant could be related to the increase in the number of cases seen in recent weeks.

Infectologist Alberto Chebabo indicates that the increase in cases is still expected to occur in the next three to four weeks. “It will be the result of the circulation of the new variant associated with other themes, such as year-end meetings and even the factors of life that followed normally, with many people not wearing masks in the workplace, for example.”

Recommendations for the population

The main recommendation is to have a complete and up-to-date vaccination schedule, including the two booster doses.

“It is worth remembering that covid-19 infections also indirectly imply increased morbidity from cardiovascular disease, and sometimes irreversible sequelae,” says doctor and professor of infectious diseases in Unoeste Guarujá, Andre Lazzeri Cortez.

“The proportion of susceptible individuals in the population directly affects the transmissibility of new sub-variants. This proportion can vary because the immunity of individuals, whether induced by a previous infection or vaccine-induced response, decreases within a few months,” he warns.

Doctors consulted by the report also recommend seeking a primary health care unit if symptoms commonly associated with covid-19 appear.

“Extreme care should be taken in the case of pregnant women, the elderly, underweight children, immunosuppressed patients and patients with chronic uncontrolled comorbidities,” recommends Cortez.

– This text was published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/63537803

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Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.