Covid BF.7 Omicron: New Variant Symptoms & Precautions

There is a new Covid-19 variant known as the BF.7 that is currently causing severe illness and fatalities in China. With the relaxation of restrictions and the resumption of normal activities, China has seen a resurgence in Covid-19 infections and an enormous increase in the number of hospitalizations and people developing severe infections. A few cases of infection with the BF.7 strain of the virus have been detected in India as well, and it has sparked a discussion on whether this can lead to the development of another Covid19 wave.

What is the new Covid-19 virus - BF.7 Omicron Variant?

The latest variant of interest and concern is called the BF.7 Omicron variant which is a sub-lineage of the BA.5 sub-variant of the original Omicron variant, and is scientifically termed as BA.5.2.1.7. While the omicron variant was first discovered in Botswana in the second week of November 2021 and reported by South African researchers to the WHO, which declared it as a variant of concern, the BF.7 variant was responsible for the rise of infections starting from September 2022. The Omicron variant was responsible for close to 85% of the global covid-19 infections in the year 2022, and the BF.7 variant now accounts for about 6-8% of global covid-19 infections.

The SARS – CoV2 virus is an organism that has all its genetic information stored on a single strand known as RNA. There are other types of viruses that have their genetic information in the form of DNA which is a double strand. With one of the sole purposes of all organisms being to reproduce and multiply, so is the case with the virus which does so by making millions of copies of itself, and to do so it requires a host, which in turn is nothing but the millions of cells within our bodies.

In the process of multiplication and make copies of itself, the genetic information undergoes changes and these changes are referred to as mutations. When a mutation occurs the core genetic information remains the same, but some additional characteristics may be added, while some may be lost. This is a process of evolution, which helps the virus to adapt to the hostile environment that is filled with antibodies, white blood cells, and all possible defense systems of the host that are focused on preventing its survival.

Mutations can make a virus more infective and dangerous or less potent and harmless, and it is really hard to predict what can happen unless extensive research is done. When the SARS Co-V2 was first discovered, it was called the Alpha (B.1.1.7) strain or variant, then came the Beta variant (B.1.351), Gamma variant (P.51), the Delta (B.1.617.2), and the Delta plus variants, Mu variant (B.1.621), etc. All of these variants are slightly different from the original SARS Co-V2, in that there are some changes mainly in the spike proteins that the virus uses to infect and gain entry into the host cells. It is also these spike proteins that are targeted by the vaccines to disable host access to the virus.

Symptoms of the Covid BF.7 variant:

The symptoms of infection with the Omicron variant are more or less similar to previous COVID-19 disease. Some key symptoms that have been observed are that the virus does not affect the lungs as much as some previous variants and it is more likely to remain in the upper respiratory tract. Some of the symptoms are

• Headache
• Severe body aches
• Joint pains
• Dizziness
• Extreme weakness
• Fever
• Scratchy throat with cough
• Runny nose with sneezing

Precautions of Covid BF.7 Omicron variant:

The best way to deal with both old and new variants is to ensure that vaccinations, including boosters when recommended, are taken without fail. It is important to note that vaccination does not prevent infection, but vaccination is essential for the prevention of severe disease, as it has been documented that most people who developed severe disease with the omicron variant are those who were unvaccinated. This holds true for all the variants of SARS-CoV2, whether alpha, beta, delta, or even the BF.7 omicron.

How to protect yourself against the new BF.7 omicron variant?

The measures that one can take to prevent an infection with the new omicron variant include

• Get vaccinated and get a booster shot when advised
• Maintain social distancing
• Wear masks
• Avoid Close Contact, Closed spaces, and Crowded places
• Wash hands regularly, especially when outside the confines of the home and in public places.

How dangerous is the new BF.7 variant of Covid-19?

The spike proteins of the virus are a key element in how effectively the virus can infect the host cells, and it is also important in affecting the immunity from the vaccines we have received, and how they can protect us from severe disease.

The Omicron variants including the BF.7 sub-variant have the greatest number of mutations on its spike proteins, much higher than seen in the other variants, in fact, the highest so far, giving it the ability to dodge antibodies, and cause infections with a shorter incubation period than the other variants seen so far. Scientists say that other than the number of mutations, the new variant is similar to the Alpha variant rather than the deadly Delta variant that terrorized the world in the past year.

So will the new BF.7 omicron variant be more infective?

Yes, the new variant may be much more infective and transmissible when compared to the other variants, as also evidenced by the rapid rise in infections once the virus enters the community. The mutations seen in the spike proteins are similar to the ones seen in the Gamma, Beta, and Lambda variants which helped these variants spread faster than before due to a more efficient ability to bind to host cell receptors, as well as the ability to dodge the internal immunity of the host cell. This variant also has a much shorter incubation period when compared to its predecessors, and is, therefore, more capable than before to spread between people, infecting more people in a shorter time, and also causing the development of symptoms in a shorter time.

Will the new variant cause a more severe disease? 

The mutations in the spike proteins of the Omicron variant indicate that multiple mutations will assist the virus in successfully eliminating the threat from the antibodies produced by our immune system as well as the monoclonal antibody cocktails that are being as a part of treatment. Some preliminary research by scientists has shown that individuals who were vaccinated only developed a mild form of the disease, while some exceptions to this have also been seen resulting in breakthrough infections in these people.

When is omicron BF.7 most contagious?

An infected individual is most contagious and likely to spread the infection to others 1-2 days before the development of symptoms, and 2-3 days after the symptoms develop. In general, the Covid19 virus including the BF.7 variant, is likely to spread up to a period of 5-10 days from the time an individual gets infected.

What is the mode of transmission of the Omicron BF.7 variant? Is BF.7 transmitted in the air?

Like the other variants of the Covid19 virus, the BF.7 variant too spread via respiratory droplets from an infected person that are released when a person coughs, sneezes, laughs talks, etc. The infection can also spread when a person touches a surface that is contaminated with the virus and then touches their nose, eyes, or mouth. The risk of transmission is markedly increased in closed and crowded places with poor ventilation.

Who is at a higher risk of getting infected with BF.7 and what precautions should they take?

The omicron variant can still cause severe disease that requires hospitalization in some individuals, especially those over the age of 60 years, or those with comorbidities such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, immunocompromised status, etc. Wearing a protective mask, best-avoiding crowds and public places, maintaining strict social distancing, and regularly washing hands or sanitizing them, are the precautions that should be taken by people who are at a higher risk of getting infected or developing severe disease.

Does BF.7 omicron cause severe disease in children?

Due to the increased transmissibility and infectivity of the omicron variant, it is being observed that children are also being infected by it, but there is no evidence to show that it will cause severe disease in children. The symptoms are usually mild and quite similar to those seen in adults including fever, chills, weakness, cough, and cold. However, some children who are immunocompromised or those with comorbidities may develop moderate to severe disease. It is therefore important to ensure that they stay safe and protected, and are not exposed to the virus just as the rest of us.

Is the vaccine effective against the BF.7 omicron variant?

Although due to its mutations, this variant exhibits a greater tendency to dodge the actions of the antibodies produced by the vaccines, the mRNA vaccines are still very highly effective in providing sufficient immunity to prevent the development of severe Covid19 diseases and the need for hospitalization.

Is a booster dose of the vaccine necessary for BF.7 Omicron variant?

Research and all initial studies done so far conclude that booster shots of the vaccine are imperative for all those at a higher risk of developing severe disease including those above 50 years of age, and with comorbidities. A booster shot is advisable if 6 months or more have passed since the receipt of the second dose of two dose vaccines, or otherwise. It is the nature of antibodies to reduce over time after vaccination and the main purpose of a booster shot of a vaccine is to increase the availability of the antibodies. It has been observed that when booster shots of certain vaccines such as mRNA vaccines are given, they increase the antibody count, and this higher antibody count helps in the prevention of severe disease including that caused by the omicron variant.

How long will one test positive for BF.7 Omicron variant?

Most people infected with the omicron variant of covid19 test positive for a period of up to 5 days after the onset of symptoms or testing positive the first time for it.