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Omicron BF.7- Erakina

February 6, 2023 7 Mins Read
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Omicron BF.7 is one of the most talked about topics in the present times. Everyone is thinking that the pandemic is just over and is quite relaxed that no more masks wearing are there no more social distancing and no more vaccines. And just then China alarmed all the people of the world with their terrifying COVID situation. A new variant of COVID-19 i.e. Omicron BF. 7 is the reason behind the surge of infection cases in China. The infectivity rate of this variant is quite high compared to the other past COVID variants because if some person gets infected with Omicron BF. 7 then he/she can infect more than 18 persons around him and that is the only reason behind the rapid increase of cases in China.

Omicron BF. 7 has higher neutralization resistance than the other variants of COVID-19, which means that it can spread at a higher rate in the population and replace the past variants. BF. 7 is the short form while the full name is BA.5.2.1.7. Coronavirus is a kind of mutation and in such cases, many variants and sub-variants can be created like BA.5.2.1.7 is the sub-variant of Omicron BA.5.

Vaccines play a major role in preventing the virus to get spread more in the population. It generally builds the body’s resistance capacity to fight the Covid virus and defeat it. Most of the population in India has been vaccinated and maybe because of this reason Omicron BF.7 is not spreading in a fast manner. But this variant of coronavirus is a matter of concern so people must take the necessary precautions even before the breakout of this variant in India. Even the vaccinated population can again get infected if not taken proper care of beforehand.

Omicron BF.7 Virus
Structure of a Coronavirus

The covid situation in India

According to some researchers, it is believed that the surge of cases in India will not be that high as compared to China because the people of India have already developed ‘Herd Immunity. Since people are requested to take all the necessary precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, and getting vaccinated. 

Herd immunity is a kind of protection that people gets when they become immune to an infection, be it through previous infections or vaccinations and so the possibility of infection for weak immune people will not be much affected. In simple words, ‘when a large number of people have developed antibodies in their body either naturally or through vaccinations’ is called Herd Immunity.

In the case of Omicron BF.7 and other variants is that these variants actually capture the existing immunity and as such, there is a chance that the pre-existing antibody might help to fight against the virus. Still, some mild cases and transmission will be there in India.

In India, if the Omicron BF.7 variant spreads then the efficiency rate through which it is spreading in China will be less in India as most of the people are already vaccinated. These vaccines will protect us from severe infection than unvaccinated people. And in near future, we will see many more variants of this virus which can spread at an alarming rate but it will not cause many infections because of the vaccines and herd immunity that we developed previously.

Is Omicron BF.7 dangerous?

From the recent situation in China, it is evident that this variant of coronavirus is much more dangerous that the other Omicron variants. This virus has the highest transmissibility power and it can spread rapidly and a person getting infected can infect many people.

The remaining variants of Omicron can infect only up to 4 people and also the incubation period is less (which means the time period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms) but the BF.7 variant can catch a person immediately after coming into contact with the virus. It has also the ability to infect the people previously infected or vaccinated. But the Omicron BF.7 variant does not cause severe diseases like before.

As per the latest report more than 5 lakh cases have been registered in the USA, Japan, Korea, and China in the last 24 hours. So, everyone should follow all the necessary guidelines of the government to control the spread of this variant in India.

Omicron Virus and the human body
Covid virus infecting the organs of the human body

Symptoms of Omicron BF.7 variant

Omicron BF. 7 is considered highly infectious and spreads faster than the other variants. And the recent spread of this variant in China has created havoc in the entire world. The most common symptoms that one can show after getting infected from this variant are:

  1. Sore throat
  2. Running nose
  3. High fever
  4. Body pain
  5. Joint pain
  6. Headache
  7. Cough
  8. Change in the smell
  9. Hoarse voice
  10. Fatigue and vomiting

As soon as one develops any of these symptoms they should isolate themselves and take proper medications. If properly treated on time it will not cause any severe infection and can be cured quickly with genuine treatment.

Precautions against Omicron BF.7 variant

  • Social distancing

The most important reason for the rapid spread of the coronavirus as most of the infected people come in contact with another person with no virus and making them infected too. So, one should maintain a distance of a minimum of 6 feet in public places to avoid the spread of the disease. By keeping a distance one can avoid getting infected by a person who is coughing or sneezing.

Social distancing warning
Yellow and Black Caution Wet Floor Sign

  • Wearing mask

One should definitely wear a mask before going out of the house as the mask will save one from the infection that other people might carry in the crowd. Apart from the coronavirus, wearing masks can also protect people from having infections like flu, cough, and cold. So, wearing of masks should be made mandatory in public places in order to avoid getting infected by this new Omicron BF. 7 variants of Coronavirus. One should use a good-quality mask as low-quality masks will provide less protection from the virus.

Girl wearing a mask
Woman Wearing Face Mask

  • Getting the Booster dose

If someone hasn’t done with the booster dose yet then he/she must get it soon as there is no other way to get saved from the virus other than the vaccine. Only the vaccine can protect one from severe infections to a great extent.

Omicron Vaccine
A Vaccine Vial on White Background

  • Cleanliness

As we all know, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, so one should keep it in mind and keep their surroundings clean and hygienic to stop the spread of not only the virus but also another disease. After coming into contact with any person in public places one should wash their hands properly with soap or hand wash to stop the spreading of the virus to oneself and other people around them.

Woman washing hands
Woman Washing Her Hands With Soap

  • Using Sanitizer

The sanitizer has become very popular since the pandemic has taken over us. Each and every person used to have sanitizer with them and use it before eating or after coming in contact with other people in the crowd. Again, one should start making it a habit of keeping sanitizer with them and use it whenever and wherever necessary.

Sanitizer
Woman Applying Hand Sanitizer

Omicron BF.7: The latest update

According to the reports, this variant has caused a pathetic situation in China for the last two months. At present, it is estimated that nearly 60% population of China and 10% of the global population are about to get infected with the disease in the coming three months with millions of death but since most of the people of the world especially India vaccinated so chances of death are less than compared to other countries of the world. 

The only reason why China is getting infected so rapidly is that they have low immunity power and are less vaccinated in comparison to India and other countries. Therefore, the situation may not get this worse in India in comparison to China because of India’s high immunization power and improved vaccine quality. Still, everyone should take all the necessary precautions suggested by the government from time to time to avoid the surge of the fourth wave in India.

Is it important to recognize Covid symptoms?

Covid infections come with a huge number of symptoms. Those symptoms can be both asymptomatic and symptomatic. A person can get infected with covid and still be unknown of it because he might not show any symptoms which takes less time for one to get cured of. On the other hand, one suffering from a cold, headache, and cough can be easily identified and taken proper care of. Therefore, it is important for one to be aware of all the signs and symptoms of the disease and get tested immediately if any covid-like symptoms appear on their body to protect themselves from more severe infection.

COVID-19 has therefore been the topic of discussion for the last two years and its variants are one of the most popular topics ever discussed. One should start obeying all the guidelines issued by the government against the latest Omicron BF.7 variant.

By:- Shramana Sarma Roy

Date :- 29/12/2022

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