Yasmina Kattou, edited by Solène Leroux
BA.2 is the name of a sub-variant of Omicron. It appeared a few weeks ago in the world, and is gradually spreading in certain countries such as India or the United Kingdom. “We have identified him on the territory”, said Olivier Véran but “he does not change the situation”. The precise characteristics of this sub-variant raise questions.
It is a small variant of Covid-19
which still remains mysterious. The Omicron BA.2 sub-variant appeared in December, almost at the same time as the original strain. It spread quickly to India, the Philippines and closer to home in Denmark. Among the Danes, BA.2 would have become the majority variant.
A finding that might be worrying explains Antoine Flahault, epidemiologist
in Geneva, Switzerland: “It is true that around January 15, we expected an epidemic peak in Denmark. This peak seems delayed,” says the specialist. “The question that arises is whether he is not at the origin of this rise in contamination in Denmark”, he continues.
“Omicron stealth” is present in France.
In France, we know that BA.2 is with us, but remains difficult to trace. First, because there are fewer sequencings. Then, because making the difference between Omicron and the one nicknamed “Stealth Omicron” requires more analysis time. Is BA.2 more dangerous? Is it vaccine resistant like Omicron? It is still too early to tell. The Ministry of Health will closely monitor the data that will be produced by Denmark.
