Experts have debunked perceptions that the N440K variant circulating in southern India, particularly Andhra Pradesh, is much more dangerous than previous variants of Covid-19, and experts have clarified that the strain has been around for months and is now disappearing.
Speaking to India Today TV, the former director of the Center for Cell and Molecular Biology (CCBM), Dr. Rakesh Mishra that the N440K tribe dominates large parts of southern India, but it is Now faded and another variant – the British variety – can be seen in these parts.
On the question of whether the N440K strain or the Andhra Pradesh strain is a cause for concern, Dr. Rakesh Mishra: “Not at all. This variety, N440K, has circulated and dominated in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere for months. I am more concerned about the British strain and the double mutant strain that is replacing that strain in South India. These two strains, especially the one in the UK, are causing more infections. “
He added, “N440K was found to be more dominant than previous variants during cell culture, but this strain is fading. It disappears. “
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Dr. Rakesh Mishra said the British variant and the double mutant variants are now more dominant in South India. “However, the British strain causes more infectivity. In northern India – as in Delhi, Punjab – the British variant is most dominant. In the West Indies – Gujarat, Maharasthra – the double mutant strain was more dominant, ”he added.
While N440K was indeed a worrying mutation in southern India during and after the first wave, recent data shows that it has been replaced by new variants of concerns (VoCs) such as B.1.617 (referred to as the double mutant variant) and B. 1.1.7 (variant identified in Great Britain).
What is the Andhra Covid tribe?
The N440K strain of the novel coronavirus was detected from samples in southern India from June to July last year. This strain was widespread in December 2020 and the first few months of 2021, but its spread decreased drastically in March and now its percentage of positive cases is minimal.
In a clarification, Dr. KS Jawahar Reddy, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Covid Command Center: “It should be noted that the weekly epidemiological update of Covid-19 from April 25, which was published by the WHO, lists the line B1617 as VOI (Variant of Interest) Mentioning India and not doing so Mention variant N440K. If this variant poses a public health problem, as reported in certain sections of the media, it should now have a place for WHO reports as well as ICMR reports. “
“Therefore, it is made clear that research data so far does not show that N440K is an interesting variant and very virulent,” said Reddy.
What caused public panic?
Reports in which experts are quoted who at least name the variant N440K 15 times more deadly than the previous ones caused public panic.
However, experts made it clear that the results were based on experiments in cell culture. Experts say that while the N440K variant grows faster in a culture, that does not mean it is more virulent in humans.
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