An insight into highly contagious coronavirus variants

More than 28,000 genetic mutations of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in the world, but most of them do not change the characteristics of this virus.
An insight into highly contagious coronavirus variants ảnh 1A medical worker collects samples for COVID-19 testing in Hien Thanh ward of Kinh Mon town, Hai Duong province. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is confronted with unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fourth wave of infections. It has recorded more than 3,000 infection cases caused by new variants over the past month.

The number of cases has been rising sharply over the last few days, especially in such hot spots as Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces.

Talking about coronavirus variants, Professor Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, said during transmission, viruses in general and SARS-CoV-2 in particular may have changes in their genetic structures after replicating and multiplying for many times.

When the transmission process accelerates, viral replication and multiplication will also increase, creating more chances for genetic mutations to appear and subsequently raising the probability of variants.

More than 28,000 genetic mutations of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been reported around the world. Most of them do not change the characteristics of this virus, but some can affect its biological characteristics such as increasing the transmissibility, helping the virus to evade the immune system, and boosting its capacity to enter respiratory epithelial cells, according to the expert.

An insight into highly contagious coronavirus variants ảnh 2Professor Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) divided SARS-CoV-2 variants into two groups: variants of interest (VOIs) and variants of concern (VOCs).

The VOCs include B.1.1.7 (first detected in the UK) that has been reported in 155 countries, B.1.351 (in South Africa) recorded in 111 countries, P.1 (in Brazil) in 62 countries, and B.1.617 (in India) in 61 countries.

In Vietnam, since the pandemic broke out, variants carrying the D614G mutation were first found on some workers returning from abroad in early March 2020. After that, the presence of VOCs was confirmed such as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 that were first recorded on the citizens returning from the UK in October 2020, and now B.1.617 in the clusters in Yen Bai and Ha Nam provinces.

After a period of time since their first appearance, VOCs have spread to most of countries around the world, including Vietnam, requiring higher levels of pandemic prevention and control, Lan noted.

He held that to prevent and control infectious respiratory diseases, it is necessary to focus on three factors: sources of transmission, modes of transmission, and persons exposed to the virus.

An insight into highly contagious coronavirus variants ảnh 3Medical workers run COVID-19 testing equipment at a new testing establishment. (Photo: VNA)

To protect people by vaccination, the Government and the Ministry of Health are exerting all-out efforts to secure vaccine for people and will mobilise the vaccination system to administer vaccine to those prioritised for inoculation. Early and full vaccination in line with the Health Ministry’s guidance is needed to secure full immunity.

Lan said large vaccine coverage will not only protect individuals from severe illness or reduce the fatality rate but also reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and help prevent the appearance of new variants.

So far, Vietnam has strictly managed people entering the country via official channels, but if it fails to control illegal entries or people who just transit the country, it will be hard to trace sources of transmission.

The negligence of pandemic prevention rules at concentrated quarantine sites or home quarantine could lead to new infections, he warned, pointing out that about 60 percent of cases neither show any symptoms nor know they have contracted the virus, which can fuel the spread of this disease.

An insight into highly contagious coronavirus variants ảnh 4Workers fumigate an area in the neighbourhood of a suspected case. (Photo: VNA)

Thought existing variants are highly contagious, quarantine is still the most effective measure to curb the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Quarantine could be practiced by wearing face masks, keeping physical distance, carrying out health quarantine, and imposing social distancing.

Professor Lan called on each people to be fully aware of the importance of steering clear of high-risk behaviours and seriously comply with the 5K principle (khau trang - wearing facemasks, khu khuan - disinfection, khoang cach - keeping distance, khong tu tap - no gathering, and khai bao y te - making health declaration)./.

VNA

See more

Over 200 health professionals from the University Medical Centre Ho Chi Minh City (UMC) successfully perform organ procurement and transplantation on January 25. (Photo: VNA)

Brain-dead organ donor helps save four people

The surgeries marked significant milestones in organ donation counselling and advocacy efforts across southern localities, helping to expand the national organ donation network, spread a message of humanity, and offer hope and life-saving opportunities to many patients.

At the MoU signing ceremony between TAMRI and the University of Oxford. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam, UK step up medical research, training cooperation

Tam Anh Research Institute (TAMRI) under Tam Anh General Hospital Group has recently announced its Memorandum of Understanding on scientific research and medical training collaboration with the University of Oxford, marking the prestigious British institution’s first bilateral agreement with a Vietnamese research institute and hospital system.

Passengers conduct immigration procedures at Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province. (Photo: VNA)

Heightened measures put in place at Tet holiday to counter infectious diseases

The Ministry of Health has sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities regarding the strengthening of infectious disease prevention and control during the Lunar New Year (Tet) and the 2025 festival season, given increases in contagious diseases, especially respiratory illnesses, around the world.

Representatives of ChungAng University Hospital (RoK) and Doosan Vina present medical supplies to General Hospital of Quang Ngai province (Photo: VNA)

RoK hospital provides medical checkups, equipment to Quang Ngai residents

A delegation from the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s ChungAng University Hospital on January 15 delivered free medical checkups, consultations, and medicines for nearly 1,000 residents of Nghia Ha, Tinh Long, and Tinh An communes of Quang Ngai city and patients at the General Hospital in the central province of Quang Ngai.

As many as 41 families agree to donate organs and tissues of brain-dead relatives in 2024. - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam makes strides in organ donation, transplantation

Dozens of organ and tissue donation advocacy groups have been established, with strong participation of both public and private healthcare facilities, helping to significantly lift the number of individuals registering for posthumous organ and tissue donation, heard a conference in Hanoi on January 7.

Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in organ transplants

Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in organ transplants

Vietnam has emerged as Southeast Asia's leader in organ transplantation, performing over 1,000 procedures annually, but it faces significant challenges in brain-dead donor donations, according to a health official.

Doctors conduct surgery at Endoscopy Department of Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Six hospitals to be upgraded to meet international standards

Six hospitals will be prioritised for investment and upgrades to meet international standards, part of the Government's decision approving the implementation of the master plan for the healthcare network for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.