By Chantalé Fletcher
THERE are five variants of interest of the Covid-19 virus in the Caribbean being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
And two of the four variants of concern have been detected in Trinidad and Tobago.
This according to Professor of Molecular Genetics and Virology at the University of the West Indies Christine Carrington during the Ministry of Health virtual press conference on Monday.
She said the Eta, Lota, Kappa, Lambda and Mu variants of interest were present within the Caribbean.
Prof Carrington said, “These are variants that carry mutations that can either be predicted or known to affect the virus’s characteristics.
“However, unlike the variants of concern, they have not been shown to behaving differently from the parent virus; so, they have the characteristic that warrant monitoring but more research is required to determine if they are really variants of concerns.”
She said, The Mu variant was first identified in Colombia in January 2021 and was now reported in 42 countries including a few Caribbean islands.”
“Mu is of interest because it has a number of mutations that suggests that it may be more resistant to vaccine immunity but further research was needed to confirm and so far, there’s no data to suggest that its more lethal or transmissible.”
Prof Carrington said none of the variants of interest have been detected in T&T.
However, the four variants of concern as identified by WHO remain Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta.
Prof Carrington said the Alpha variant was noted for increased transmissibility, association with more severe disease which was found in samples in Trinidad but there were no traces of community spread.
She said, “That Beta has not been detected in T&T to date, whereas we have Gamma which is noted for being more transmissible with increased death, but most vaccines retain their effectiveness against Gamma and this the only variant of concern with evidence of community spread in T&T.
“Delta is the dominant variant in many parts of the world, it is known for being more transmissible and associated with higher rates of hospitalisation and death. There are certain vaccines where there is a reduced ability for the vaccine induced immunity to prevent non-severe disease.”
Prof Carrington made reference to traces of the Delta variant found in six samples in T&T. “All of them were quarantined individuals and so far, we have no evidence of community spread of Delta in T&T.”
