Coronavirus variants: Difference between Delta, Delta Plus, Lambda and Kappa COVID variants

Ever since the origin of the COVID-19, the virus has mutated several times. Every multiplication gives rise to new questions regarding the severity and infectiousness of the virus. The Delta variant of the coronavirus, which emerged in India, was more infectious than the original one and was mainly responsible for the second wave in the country. It further mutated to form the Delta Plus variant, branded as a "variant of concern". Besides, there are other profoundly contagious variants like Lambda and Kappa that have raised red alerts. Let's have a look at how these variants are different from one another.

Delta variant or B.1.617.2 is a sub-lineage of B.1.617 virus, detected in India earlier this year. Studies suggest that this mutant virus is more transmissible than contemporary lineages, due to which the World Health Organization (WHO) has categorised it as a variant of concern (VOC). This variant virus has significantly high transmissibility and has accounted for the outbreak in several other countries. Besides, it also causes more severe symptoms than the original strain of the virus. Research also suggests that vaccines available to treat COVID are eight times less effective against this variant. The cases of the Delta variant have also been reported in the UK and Israel.

Delta Plus variant is the subdivision of Delta variant originated in India. It was first found in Maharashtra and was responsible for a majority of COVID infections. It is suspected to trigger the third wave of COVID-19 in the western state as the mutant virus can also lead to severe symptoms and hospitalisation. Apart from the primary symptoms, Delta plus variant can cause stomach aches, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting. Its long term effects include joint pains and hearing impairment. The Delta plus variant has been found in nine other countries across the world apart from India. Cases of the Delta Plus variant have been reported in the UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Japan, Nepal, China, India and Russia.

The Kappa variant, also known as B.1.167.1, was first detected in India in October 2020. It is a double mutant strain of coronavirus as it is made up of two viral types- E484Q mutation and L452R mutation. The E484Q mutation is identical to the E484K mutation identified in Brazilian and South African variants of concern, while the L452R mutation, which originated in California evades our immune system's natural defences. Due to its complex nature, the WHO has identified it as a "variant of interest". Research suggests that the Kappa variant's antibody has neutralising capabilities and may reduce the effectiveness for both vaccines and immunity generated from natural infections. It may also lead to varied symptoms like rashes, high fever, runny nose and watery eyes.

The WHO last week has also termed the Lambda variant as a 'variant of interest'. Originated in Peru, this variant has been detected in more than 30 countries in the past four weeks, predominately in South America. The cases from the newly detected variant of the coronavirus have not yet been detected in India. It is formed by significant alterations of variants such as L452Q and F490S, which makes this variant more worrisome. As the Lambda variant has been recently detected, there is no proof if it can cause more severe infection than other mutants or if it responds to treatments.