Review Article

How Triple Mutation of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Developed in India

Sheema Fatima Khan
Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, India
* Corresponding author
DOI icon 10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.3.893

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Submitted 2021-05-26
Published 2021-06-17

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Article Main Content

The COVID-19 infection is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It is a single stranded RNA virus hence has high mutation rate. In a populous country like India, it can find large number of hosts to infect and thus undergo strong mutation. The Indian variant B.1.617 undergone three mutation to form B.1.617.2 (double mutant) and B.1.617.3 (triple mutant). The variant B.1.617.2 is declared a Variant of Concern due to its increase transmissibility, immune escape, increase effect of infection. The variant is also suspected to reduce vaccine efficacy and efficiency. It also the cause of overwhelming second wave of coronavirus in India. This harmful variant has also spread to other countries such as UK and Australia. Such harmful mutations are a result of aiming for herd immunity naturally against the virus. This article aims to understand the triple mutation and cause of devastating COVID-19 wave in India. And analyze steps to prevent future outbreaks.

Keywords: B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.617.3, Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, Variant of Concern, Variant of Interest

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