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Digital Desk: The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre has detected the first Omicron sub-variant BF.7 case in India. Recently, two highly contagious and more transmissible Omicron sub-variants, BF.7 and BA.5.1.7 were found in several provinces of China.
After its national health commission reported 1,760 new local infections for the previous day on October 12, China implemented new lockdowns and travel restrictions across the whole nation.
Given the recent increase of Covid-19 cases in China, public health experts in India have advised caution.
'BF.7 has been found in India, but panic should not be created because it is from Omicron's family,' said Dr Madhavi Joshi, senior scientist at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
Dr. Joshi says that, in contrast to other nations, India did not suffer major impacts from the Omicron variant. But the expert urged individuals to "wear masks, avoid crowds, and follow hand hygiene".
When was BF.7 first detected?
The BF.7, also known as BA.2.75.2, was first detected on October 4 in Northwest China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. According to a report from Global Times, it has since spread to other regions in less than a week.
Reportedly, the BF.7 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5.2.1 has also spread in Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, and England.
Is it dangerous?
Being a sub-variant of Omicron BA.5, BF.7 reportedly has enhanced immunity evasion in comparison to its parental strain. This indicates that those who have already been infected or who have received the COVID-19 vaccines can get infected with BF.7.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had already issued a warning concerning the BF.7 Omicron variant, stating that it might replace the current dominant variant.
What are the symptoms?
The BF.7 sub-symptoms variants are similar to those of other Omicron sub-variants. This includes headache, persistent cough, changes in sense of smell, chest pain, hearing loss and shaking. One should also be cautious of other COVID symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue.
COVID-19 situation in India
In India, there were 26,618 active cases as of October 15. In the past 24 hours, 2,430 new coronavirus infections were recorded, bringing the overall number of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,26,427.
Data from the Union Health Ministry on Saturday showed that 5,28,874 deaths were directly related to COVID-19.
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