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A New “double mutant” of SARS-CoV-2 with a combination mutation was found in India, as said by Health Ministry. 

This variant were found in large number in Maharashtra, which has been perceiving a second wave of the infection.  Other states also reported its presence in sample including Delhi. However, it is still required evidence to confirm its severity and increased infectivity to humans. 

The genome sequencing of new “double mutant” of coronavirus was detected by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG). INSACOG a group of 10 national laboratories established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on December 25.This detection reveals the presence of two mutations i.e. E484Q and L452R in a single variant in 200 virus samples from Maharashtra and few in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab.

Genomic sequencing is a testing process to analyze the entire genetic code of an organism like virus here. 

What is a "double mutant" variant?

Mutation in virus is common but specific mutation that increase virus severity is a point of concern. A new "double mutant" of the coronavirus detected in India, shows mutations which include E484Q and L452R, coming together in the same virus.

Scientist are checking, how the combination will be different in terms of infectivity or how this variant will affect the efficacy of vaccine. In the coming days, the INSACOG will submit the details of this new variant to a global repository called GISAID and on the basis of evidence, it will classify as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC).

Currently three variant of concerns identified are the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7), the South African (B.1.351) and the Brazilian (P.1) variant. Out of 10,787 samples collected from international passengers, 771 positive cases have been identified in 18 States of the country, out of which 736 of the UK, 34 of the South African and one Brazilian.

Is "double mutant", a point of concern?

Two mutations or changes found in the same variant is the “double variant”. In this variant, mutation detected in spike protein will make the virus easier to enter and infect into human and cause more severe disease or sometimes evade vaccines and help virus to escape neutralizing antibodies. In other words, if mutation works, people can be re-infected, who has recovered from Covid-19. But as per the reports, reinfection will give very mild symptoms as compared from the previous infection of Covid-19. As per the health ministry, double mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. 

Scientist are trying to step up genome sequencing efforts about this variant, as proportion of tests are less, so there is currently nothing to suggest the current surge.

A virologist, Dr. Jeremy Kamil, at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, speaks that E484Q variant is similar to E484K, seen in the South African strain (B.1.351) and Brazil strain (P.1) and L452R mutation look similar B.1.427/B.1.429 lineage in the US, which is sometimes called the "California variant".

Is the new variant considered to be India's second wave?

Reports from Dr. Rakesh Mishra, director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, said that the "double-variant" had been found in 20% of the cases in Maharashtra, where 80% of the samples tested have no mutations of double variant but found to be of other variant. He also told that out of thousand samples sequenced in Maharashtra, only 230 cases have been reported with this mutation. 

Dr. Kamil also said, that India's new double variant is not as deadly or transmissible as other variants, but still to make it sure, more data is required. 

The point of worrying is the UK or the Kent variant (also known as B.1.1.7), which has spread to more than 50 countries. A total of 736 of the 10,787 samples sequenced in India have been found positive for this variant. According to Dr Kamil, these variants are more transmissible and lethal and can be the more likely to contribute to an "intense second wave". 

The Bottom Line

The Indian government denies that mutations has increased the cases in country and does not have indicate any new public health measures and require the same epidemiological and public health response, of increased testing, isolation of positive cases, wearing masks and social distancing. When it comes to vaccine, it has shown its effectiveness for many variants and scientists are confident, if required, the existing vaccines can be modified against the other new variants