Coronavirus: 2 new BA.2 Omicron variant symptoms that have come to light

The SARs-COV-2 virus has evolved tremendously over the course of two years. First the Alpha, Beta and the most deadly Delta variant and now with the emergence of the latest variant of concern, Omicron, there seems to be no end to this pandemic. What is even worse is the fact that these variants continue to split and bifurcate into sub variants.

BA.2 or the Stealth Omicron is a sublineage of the heavily mutated Omicron variant, which is believed to be more transmissible than the original strain. Additionally, according to a lab study by Japanese researchers, the BA.2 subvariant was not only found to be more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, BA.1, but it was also said to cause more severe disease.

But while we're yet to see the kind of impact the new subvariant has on us, scientists and medical professionals have listed down some of the most common symptoms associated with the lineage. But while we're yet to see the kind of impact the new subvariant has on us, scientists and medical professionals have listed down some of the most common symptoms associated with the sublineage. Let us find out what they are.

Also read: Coronavirus: 1 in 20 people are likely to experience THIS side effect from COVID-19 booster shot

Headache, sore/scratchy throat, sneezing, runny nose and body pain continue to remain the most prevalent among those infected. But according to a new report by KREM 2 News, the U.S. National Library of Medicine has found two additional symptoms of Omicron BA.2 subvariant, which are dizziness and fatigue.

In addition, the report further revealed that the new BA.2 subvariant spreads 30% more easily than the original omicron variant.

Preliminary studies have suggested that the BA.2 subvariant could be more infectious than the original variant. Because it is believed to escape vaccine-induced immunity and immunity from a previous COVID-19 infection, breakthrough infections and cases of reinfection are also said to have increased in the recent past.

A Danish study consisting of 8,500 households and 18,000 individuals found that BA.2 was "substantially" more transmissible than BA.1. It was also found that the new sub lineage was more capable of evading vaccine immunity.

However, in a recent update, the World Health Organization (WHO) cleared the air and said that the Omicron subvariant is not more virulent or severe than the original variant.

“We don’t see any difference in terms of severity between BA.2 compared to BA.1. … That’s important,” Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist of WHO’s COVID-19 response team, wrote on social media. However, she added, “Omicron is not ‘mild.’ It is less severe than Delta.”

Initial reports stated that the new BA.2 subvariant is much harder to track than the original Omicron strain.

According to experts, the new subvariant lacks a mutation, which is integral to detect COVID-19. As per the UK Health Service Agency (UKHSA), the original Omicron variant contains a genetic deletion in the “S” spike gene that helps healthcare providers to easily detect it with an RT PCR test. However, in the stealth Omicron, there is no "S" gene drop out, making it harder to track.

However, with the help of genome sequencing the subvariant could be detected, although it would take longer to reveal the results.

Apart from dizziness and fatigue, some other signs of BA.2 Omicron Variants include:

Fever and body aches

Loss of taste

Nausea or Vomiting

Abdominal pain

Fever

Extreme fatigue

Coughing

Sore throat

Muscular fatigue

Elevated heart rate

Breathless in severe cases