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The outbreak of the global pandemic has created a huge impact in overall growth of the nation. Though, In India, the speed of the second wave of coronavirus has slowed down but an increase in fresh cases of corona in states like Kerala and Maharashtra is a cause of concern. Experts are considering it as a sign of the third wave. Meanwhile, people are getting affected with another variant of Corona in India has also increased the concern. This is the Kappa variant (Kappe). On Friday, two of its cases were found from Uttar Pradesh. How dangerous this variant is, it is currently being reviewed. The cases of Delta variants are coming to the fore in India at the moment.

The four variants of Corona virus in India are – Delta, Delta Plus, Kappa and Lambda. 

Let us understand if it is a signal of the third wave and how dangerous are these different variants of Corona.

For the first time this variant was found in India. According to a study, if the delta variant is compared with the original strain found in Wuhan, China, the vaccine is 8 times less effective against it. The infection of the delta variant spreads very rapidly. Also, in such a situation, severe symptoms of corona are seen in patients. 

Presently, due to this variant in Britain and Israel, new cases of corona are increasing rapidly. According to statistics, 90 percent of corona cases in Israel are of Delta variant. Whereas 50 percent of the people there have got vaccinated. 

Delta Plus

This new variant of Corona has appeared only after mutation in Delta (B.1.617.2). In this, an attempt is being made to find out how it is changing its form. Recently, many cases of Delta Plus are reported in Maharashtra. Experts believe that the third wave of corona can come from this variant. It has been reported in nine countries other than India including UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Japan, Nepal, China and Russia. Patients of Delta Plus have complained of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and joint pain. 

Kappa Variant

The Kappa variant is also known as B.1.167.1. It was first found in October 2020. WHO has not yet called this variant 'Variant of Concern'. At present, it has been kept in the category of variant of interest. Like Delta, Kappa is also a double mutant due to its two mutations EE484Q and L452R. The King George Medical College of Lucknow had done genome sequencing of 109 samples. Some samples were having Kappa variants. When asked about the 'Kappa' form of the virus, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad told 'PTI-Bhasha' that "Kappa form is not new, many cases of this form have been reported in the past as well." So there is nothing to panic, it is a common form of corona virus and its treatment is possible. 

Lambda Variant

The Lambda variant of Lambda Corona is currently kept in the category of 'Variants of Interest', the Central Government said on Friday, "no case of Lambda variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in India so far". In response to a question, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Lav Agarwal said that "the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is closely monitoring the pattern". He said, "On June 14, there was the seventh version of the lambda virus identified by the WHO and it has been detected in 25 countries". Some cases of lambda have been found in Canada.