The Delta Plus, or Delta-AY.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Delta variant, is a mutated version of the B.1.617.2 variant or strain. This strain is characterised by the K417N mutation in the spike protein of the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes the Covid-19 disease. The K417N mutation has been associated with “immune escape”, which means that the virus is less susceptible to — or less responsive to — any drug therapy.
Are Vaccines Effective Against This Variant?
The vaccines in use appear to offer good protection against the delta variant, and most scientists agree that fully vaccinated individuals likely face little risk. The results were based on blood samples from fully vaccinated people and showed that these individuals produced protective antibodies against several of the circulating variants, including delta.
What are the symptoms?
India’s top virologists have said that the Delta Plus variant carries symptoms of the Delta as well as its partner the beta variant. Some of these symptoms include cough, diarrhoea, fever, headache, skin rash, discolouration of fingers and toes, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Other symptoms listed by the experts and attributed to the Delta Plus variant are stomach ache, nausea and appetite loss.
