“The virus mutates while it is in the population.
The more patients and carriers, the higher the likelihood of new, more adapted variants.
AY.4.2 is one of approximately 50 identified delta mutants.
According to media reports, it is 10-15% more infectious than the delta.
For comparison, the delta strain is twice (100%) more infectious than the zero (Wuhan) strain, ”said Agranovsky.
He noted that the speed of propagation of AY.4.2 is comparable to that of the "delta".
“Can AY.4.2 displace delta and become the new dominant option?
He has little chance ... However, it is necessary to monitor the dynamics of distribution, and not only AY.4.2, but also other strains.
To do this, in the Russian regions, it is necessary to sequence (determine the sequence of the RNA of the genome) much more clinical samples than is being done now, ”the virologist believes.
Agranovsky also added that vaccination is the only reliable protection against coronavirus.
"Vaccines will work against AY.4.2 no worse than against other strains," the interlocutor of RT concluded.
As the head of the scientific group for the development of new methods for diagnosing human diseases at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor Kamil Khafizov said earlier, the AY.4.2 variant of the "delta" line is found in isolated cases in Russia.