How dangerous is the Delta variant? Here's what you should know

THE Delta variant which has been declared as “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown to be more contagious, more deadly, more resistant and now becoming the dominant variant of the disease in many countries, including the US, UK, Portugal, South Africa and Russia.

It was first identified in India between December 2020 to January 2021. The Delta variant, officially known as B.1.617.2 now poses a major health threat, slowing down our efforts towards ‘normalcy’.

As of June 30, 2021 in Malaysia, the results of genome sequencing have detected 40 cases of COVID-19 infection with the Delta variant.

How contagious is the Delta variant?

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), this variant is 40-60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) and may be associated with higher risk of hospitalisation.

WHO Director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom has described this variant as ‘the most transmissible of the variants identified so far’. It has been identified in at least 100 countries and is spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations.

“As some countries ease public health and social measures, we’re starting to see increases in transmission around the world.

“As we have said, new variants are expected and will continue to be reported. That’s what viruses do, they evolve, but we can prevent the emergence of variants. Less transmission, less variants,” he said during the WHO press briefing recently.

ECDC Director Dr Andrea Ammon in a statement said: “Based on the scientific evidence, we estimate that by the end of August, it will represent 90 per cent of all COVID-19 infections in the European Union.”

How effective are the vaccines?

The ECDC also reports those who have only received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination are less well protected against infection with the Delta variant than against other variants, regardless of the vaccine type.

“Unfortunately, preliminary data shows that it can also infect individuals who have received only one dose of the currently available vaccines.

“The good news is that having received two doses of any of the currently available vaccines provides high protection against this variant and its consequences,” said Dr Ammon.

Recently, Pfizer Inc has requested the US regulators to authorise a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine within the next month based on evidence of greater risk of reinfection six months after inoculation and the spread of the variant.

“It is very important to progress with the vaccine roll-out at a very high pace,” she adds.

READ MORE: Pfizer to seek US authorization for COVID booster shot as Delta variant spreads

What is the Delta Plus variant?

Delta Plus differs from Delta because of an extra mutation called K417N located in the spike protein.

It began appearing between March and April this year. Although it is still too early to tell whether it poses a significant threat, India has classified it as ‘Variant of Concern’.

While it has not been designated a variant of concern by the WHO, cases involving Delta Plus have been reported in 11 countries.

WHO recently told Reuters that the Delta Plus variant does not seem to be common, and currently accounts for only a small fraction of the Delta sequences.

“Delta and other circulation Variants of Concern remain a higher public health risk as they demonstrate increases in transmission,” it said.

What can we do?

Dr Tedros reiterated that it is more urgent that we use all the tools at our disposal to prevent transmission of the virus.

“The tailored and consistent use of public health and social measures in combination with equitable vaccination. This is why WHO has been saying for at least a year that vaccines must be distributed equally to protect health workers and the most vulnerable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ammon said it requires a significant effort from the public health authorities and the society at large to speed up the vaccination rate, at which individuals become protected.

“It is time to walk the extra mile. We have several safe and effective vaccines available and every single infection prevented now through compliance with public health measures, is a life that can be saved by vaccination.”