Basic information about new Omicron Variant of Corona Virus.

omicron variant of corona virus

we know that covid 19 has a wreaked havoc all over the world and it is become the most dangerous pandemic of this century. It has taken many lives across the world but we also know that we are about to experience a new threat in the coming days which is omicron variant of covid 19 (B.1.1.529) which is also known as "The Variant Of Concern". No, one knows where omicron first emerges. But it was first identified in Botswana, South Africa and then now it has been detected in many other countries including India, Australia, England, France, Germany, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Scotland. The recent reports show that this variant has spread to 38 countries around the world. But let me make this thing clear , no specific information has been received about  this omicron variant but all we know is that information has been gathered it by "WHO". Its symptoms are mild like Headache, fatigue, body pain, scratchy throat without cough but in this case there is no loss of smell or loss of taste occur. And mostly males in the age group between 20-30s are infected by this omicron variant.

My main motive is to educate about this virus to those people who are not aware of the field of science or those students who are studying in any field other then science. So for I am trying to use such words which can be understood by the people of all classes and fields. These things are little bit  complicated. So basically the virus is made up with two components Protein and Nucleic acid. protein is the coat of the virus and nucleic acid is the genetic component of the virus. Nucleic acids can be RNA or DNA but in case of corona virus it is the RNA. If we look the structure of omicron virus we see many spike or spring loop like structure on the outer surface of virus which is actually are amino acids, (Because amino acids join together and make proteins) and these structure are called spike protein. Basically the spike protein is a highly glycosylated and large type 1 transmembrane fusion protein that is made up of 1160 to 1400 amino acids, depending upon the type of virus, I'm not going that deep...... but these things are basics for understand the virus. and with the help of these spike protein virus attaches the host cells and then enters the host cells (in this case the human's nose and  mouth cells are the host cells) and takes possession of it and start infecting the cell. and then virus starts making many copies of itself ....as a result of which the person becomes ill.

Now why this variant is called  "The Variant Of Concern" according to The WHO and the CDC, there are some special points which are highlighted about this-

1). Increased transmission.    

2). Increased severity of illness.

3). Decreased efficacy to drugs.

4). Decreased efficacy to vaccines.

These 4 points of characteristics have arisen due to "Mutations" in this virus. So basically when the virus acquires small changes in genetic materials we called this "Mutation". And whenever the virus mutated, it becomes a new variant of itself. The Alpha variant has 23 mutations compared with the original Wuhan strain. The Beta variant has some other mutations in which it has 8 distinct mutations that may effect  how the virus binds to cells. Similarly The Gama variant is closely related to Beta variant but this variant carries 8 additional sequence changes mutation. The Delta variant has several important mutations with 8 new mutations. The Eta variant carries some of the same mutations seen in the Alpha variant and 4 other additional mutation. And The Iota variant has 3 different mutations. The Kappa variant has some 7-8 new mutations. after this The Lambda variant has another 7 new mutations. And The Mu variant also has some mutations those are found in beta variant and some other mutation. And now finally, The new Omicron variant have more than 30 mutation. So you can now understand why this one is more dangerous then older variants or versions of the corona virus .Because of this heavy mutation in this omicron variant that only reason why the WHO and CDC is calling this as a "Variant Of Concern"