Vismita Gupta-Smith: When you hear about variants -
variants of concern, variants of interest -
mutations - double or triple mutations -
what does that mean?
And what action does the public need to take to protect themselves?
Hello, and welcome to Science in 5.
I'm Vismita Gupta-Smith.
Giving us an update on variants today is Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove.
Maria, give us an update on the variants that are circulating right now.
Maria Van Kerkhove: Thanks for having me back.
There are several virus variants that WHO is tracking around the world.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19,
is evolving.
This is a natural evolution,
and the virus is expected to change the more the virus circulates around.
Currently, there are four variants of concern
that WHO is tracking around the world:
the B.1.1.7, which was first identified in the United Kingdom;
the B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa;
the P.1 variant, which was first identified in Japan
from travelers from Brazil;
and now we've recently classified the B.1.617,
which was first identified in India.
Now, it's really important that you look at the latest information from WHO
because this is a fast-changing situation.
The latest information we have on all of our variants of interest
and variants of concern that we are tracking
are released on our website in our weekly epidemiological SitRep.
VGS: Maria, how does WHO classify a variant as a variant of interest
or a variant of concern?
MVK: Variants of interest have properties,
have mutations that have been identified that need further study.
Variants of concern have demonstrated changes.
For example, you may have increased transmissibility;
there may be a change in disease presentation or severity;
or there may be a change in our ability to control the virus
with public health and social measures;
or the use of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
So the recent variant of concern, the B.1.617, for example,
has demonstrated increased transmissibility,
and this is why this has been classified as a variant of concern.
So you'll notice when I said a variant of concern,
I named it by a number, for example, B.1.617,
and I didn't call it a country name variant.
It's really important that we don't do that.
We don't say country X variant,
because that really adds a stigma associated with these variants.
And it's important that surveillance is occurring around the world,
and we detect these variants very quickly;
the information is shared so that it can be analyzed
so that we understand the potential implications
once they are identified.
VGS: What does this mean for the public?
MVK: It means that we need to do everything that we can
to prevent infections
and reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,
whether it's a virus variant,
a variant of interest
or a variant of concern or not.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect us, and it can spread between people.
So it means to take all of the measures that you can
to reduce your exposure
in the possibility of you getting infected.
It means physical distancing,
avoiding crowded spaces,
spending more time outdoors than indoors.
If you are indoors, make sure that there's good ventilation.
It's about having clean hands and wearing a mask,
properly over your nose and your mouth,
practicing respiratory etiquette,
being well-informed.
And no matter what you do,
know what your risk is and take steps to lower your risk.
And lastly, when it's your turn,
get vaccinated.
There are many studies underway
studying the properties of each of these variants of concern
in terms of transmissibility,
severity, and impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
So far from the information that we have from the studies that are underway
and the results that are available,
the public health and social measures,
the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines
do work against these virus variants.
We are learning every day
and as soon as we have more information,
we will share this with you.
VGS: Thank you, Maria.
That was Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove giving us an update on virus variants.
Until next time then.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stick with science.
Subtitles by Maurício Kakuei Tanaka