WHO and Omicron

WHO and Omicron

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – Health

Context The WHO has said The Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible than the Delta strain.

• It also reduces vaccine efficacy but causes less severe symptoms according to early data.
• Faster transmission was noted in South Africa, where Delta is less prevalent, and in Britain, where Delta is the dominant strain.

About Omicron

• It is a variant of Coronavirus detected first in South Africa.
• This variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
• WHO also noted current PCR tests continue to successfully detect the variant.
• While medical experts warned against any overreaction before the variant was better understood, nations have raced to halt air travel, markets fell sharply and scientists held emergency meetings to weigh the exact risks