The Delta + Omicron recombinant virus is a coronavirus hybrid that has genes from both the Delta and Omicron types.
Delta + Omicron recombinant virus, formerly thought to be a lab error a few months ago, has now been proven to be a reality with substantial proof. The World Health Organization also issued a warning about the situation, stating that ‘this was expected’ because both Delta and Omicron are spreading widely. Because there have only been a few occurrences so far, it is too early to determine whether it can cause serious illnesses.
Delta + Omicron recombinant virus is a hybrid coronavirus made up of genes from both the Delta and Omicron types. The study’s principal author, Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, explained that genetic recombinations of coronaviruses have been known to occur when two variations infect the same host cells.
“Two or more SARS-CoV-2 variants circulated at the same time and in the same geographical region throughout the epidemic… Recombination between these two types became possible as a result of this.”
So far, 17 instances of the recombinant virus have been reported in the United States and Europe.
Three patients in France were infected with a SARS-CoV-2 variation that combines the spike protein of an Omicron variant with the “body” of a Delta variant, according to his team.
According to an unpublished paper by genetics research firm Helix that was submitted to medRxiv and obtained by Reuters, two more unrelated Delta + Omicron illnesses have been discovered in the United States.
Other teams have reported a further 12 Deltacron cases in Europe since January, all with an Omicron spike and a Delta body, on viral research message boards.
Because there have been so few verified instances, it’s too early to say whether Deltacron infections will be very contagious or cause serious illness. WHO, in a similar vein, stated that no changes in the severity or transmissibility of the disease have been found at this time, but that various research are being conducted on the subject. Testing is still crucial at this point.
Colson, on the other hand, claims that his team has developed a PCR test that “can promptly screen positive samples for the existence of this virus.”
