The new coronavirus reproduces a new mutant strain “Omicron”. As of November 28, South Africa, Israel, Belgium, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Hong Kong, China, have monitored the input of this mutant strain. The input of this mutant strain has not been found in other provinces and cities in our country. Many countries have upgraded their anti-epidemic measures to close the borders, restrict travel, and ban flights. Is “Omicron” getting closer and closer to us? How should we guard against it?
Is “Omicron” very close to us?
Xu Wenbo, Director of the Institute of Viral Disease Prevention and Control of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: “Omicron” mutant strains are spreading rapidly with global transportation. In fact, not only Omicron, but any strain that is infected can be quickly imported to other countries by aircraft. Whether the propagation speed of “Omicron” will increase is still unknown and requires observation and research in the coming weeks. But it is very close to us, because China and many countries have air flights. The “Omicron” strain is not only in Africa, but has been imported into other countries, and it may have a potential epidemic in some countries, so The opportunity to import into China is great.
How dangerous is “Omicron”?
Xu Wenbo: The amino acid mutation sites of the spike protein on the “Omicron” include the “Delta” virus, and the “Alpha”, “Beta” and “Delta” viruses some important amino acid mutation sites. but the increase in mutation sites does not necessarily mean that its transmission is enhanced, nor does it mean that its immune escape is necessarily stronger than that of the “Delta” virus. Aggregation mutations are not necessarily an accumulation, and 1+1 is greater than 2 In that form, structural virology, cross-immunization and neutralization, and field epidemiology are needed to observe the protective effect of the vaccine. Generally speaking, “Omicron” is still a new crown virus, and it will not undergo subversive changes.
Does “Omicron” affect our country’s existing nucleic acid detection reagents?
Xu Wenbo: The mutations of “Omicron” are mainly concentrated on the neutralizing antigen spike protein. The mainstream nucleic acid detection reagents in China are designed for ORF/ab gene and N gene. The two genes seem to have not changed, so the sensitivity and specificity are not affected. The mainstream nucleic acid detection reagents in China can deal with the input of the “Omicron” mutant strain.
What impact does “Omicron” have on the vaccine?
Xu Wenbo: “Omicron” is still a new coronavirus. Although its amino acids are cumulatively mutated, the vaccine is still effective and can reduce the proportion of severe illness and death. It cannot completely break through immunity. Barrier, because in addition to antibody immunity, there is also T cell immunity, and our country has a variety of vaccine immunization technology routes on the market, including inactivated vaccines, protein vaccines, vector adenovirus vaccines, as well as booster injections, sequential immunization, and then there is also the development of second-generation vaccines, which can deal with the “Omicron” strain.
What should scientists pay attention to when observing “Omicron”?
Xu Wenbo: As a scientist, we should pay attention to the following points: 1. Whether the mutation of “Omicron” lead to increased transmission and whether it will exceed the “Delta” virus . 2. How strong is the immune escape ability of “Omicron”. 3. How did “Omicron” come into being.
How does our country respond to the import of “Omicron”?
Xu Wenbo: Our country’s existing COVID-19 prevention and control policies, “foreign import prevention” and “internal prevention rebound”, conduct detailed epidemiological and genomic monitoring of all imported cases. It is possible to stop the spread of “Omicron”.
In daily life, how does the public guard against “Omicron”?
Xu Wenbo: 1. The general public should wear masks and maintain social distancing, especially health monitoring. If symptoms of new coronary pneumonia are suspected, they should monitor their body temperature in time and take the initiative to see a doctor. 2. Reduce unnecessary exits, especially to countries where the “Omicron” strain is suspected or has been prevalent or imported.
Source: CCTV News
