Context The latest mutation of the coronavirus variant, AY4.2, which has been linked to a rise in cases in the United Kingdom, is “very infrequent” in India, according to a weekly report by the India SARS-CoV-2 Genome Consortium (INSACOG).
What is AY4.2?
AY.4.2 is a descendant of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was first identified in India in October 2020.
The AY.4.2 sub-lineage contains 2 mutations in its spike protein — A222V and Y145H.
It is dubbed “Delta Plus” and now named VUI-21OCT-01 by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)).
What is Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)?
Coordinated by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with MoH&FW, ICMR, and CSIR
The consortium will ascertain the status of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.
INSACOG will have a high level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.
It will have a Scientific Advisory Group for scientific and technical guidance.
Aim: To monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.
This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future.
The consortium will also establish a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication, and determine the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super-spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas etc.).
