Have not spotted reverse zoonosis cases in India yet: Dr Priya Abraham, Director National Institute of Virology

What’s the present standing of the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV-2?

This virus continues to be an invisible enemy to the world. Below-vaccinated nations and areas are extra prone. Additionally, it’s nonetheless an issue for the aged in addition to individuals with comorbidities, significantly if they’re unvaccinated. So the virus may be very a lot round, however because the variety of vaccinated individuals and people uncovered to the virus have considerably elevated in India and plenty of components of the world, we’re comparatively higher off for now.

How dangerous is the brand new Omicron subvariant, which has been fuelling the latest spike of circumstances in China?

Omicron has a sub-lineage named BA.2 and we’re seeing that in India too. It’s the Omicron variant of concern, not a brand new variant. In actual fact, the predominant pressure in our nation is now BA.2. So far as we all know, it’s extra transmissible and might evade the immune response to some extent however it isn’t inflicting extreme illness or demise in those that are vaccinated or have had pure an infection.

Are there situations in India the place the Covid virus has gone from people to animals and again?

There have been situations in Denmark the place the virus migrated from people to minks and returned to people. In India we’ve not noticed any case of reverse zoonosis as but.

How vital is it to undertake coordinated virus analysis — of people and animals?

The federal government has given lots of emphasis on what we name One Well being — the research of infections in each people and animals. As a part of the PM Ayushman Bharat Well being Infrastructure Mission, a satellite tv for pc One Well being centre is being inbuilt Nagpur. A brand new BSL-4 lab will probably be constructed there. The centre is prone to be prepared by the tip of subsequent 12 months, newest by 2024.

Among the lethal ailments come from animals. For example, if we discover an uncommon variety of bats or birds die in a selected area, we should examine it and research it holistically. Our future lies in virus analysis encompassing animals, people and the setting.