Deltracron has genes from both Delta and Omicron and combines spike proteins from Omicron with “body” from the delta variant.
Global Covid cases are declining as it has been two years since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, but a new threat is looming large. The health organization has since warned of a new Covid variant that appears to be a mix of the two dominant variants of care Delta and Omicron. The variant is now called Deltracron and has recorded cases in the UK, France, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Here’s what we know about the new variant, where it was registered and the symptoms we know so far.
Deltracron has genes from both Delta and Omicron and combines spike proteins from Omicron with “body” from the delta variant, Reuters report said. According to virologists, the recombinants arise when more than one variant infects and replicates in the same person, in the same cell. Deltracron was the result of Omicron affecting a population still under the Delta Wave.
Gisaid, a global community of scientists, finds that the species has been identified in several regions of France and has been in circulation since early this year. The WHO believes that even the US has at least two cases of the new variant and will soon publish a report on the subject.
Virologist Tom Peacock on Twitter said Deltcron may not be a true variant, but may be the result of contamination, as he believes true recombination does not occur until a few weeks/months after substantial co-circulation.
Deltaron Symptoms
According to the UK Health Security Agency, there is still very little we know about the infectivity or severity of Deltracron in causing Covid. But according to previous advice from the NHS, the symptoms to look out for are:
- High temperature
- Runny or stuffy nose
- New continuous cough
- feeling tired
- Loss or alteration of your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Headache
- physical pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea