SARS-CoV-2 Eta variant

Variant of SARS-CoV-2

 This article is about the variant of SARS-CoV-2.
   For the Greek letter, see Eta (letter).

The SARS-CoV-2 Eta variant is one of the variants of the virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19. This variant is also known by its Pango lineage designation as B.1.525. It was first identified in December 2020 and has since been detected in multiple countries around the world.

Genetic characteristics

SARS-CoV-2 Eta variant genetic structure

The Eta variant is characterized by several mutations in the spike protein of the virus, which is the primary target for COVID-19 vaccines. Notable mutations include E484K, which is associated with reduced neutralization by some antibodies, and the deletion 69-70del, which is also found in other variants of concern such as the Alpha variant. These mutations may affect the transmissibility and immune escape potential of the virus.

Epidemiology

Global distribution of the Eta variant

The Eta variant was first identified in the United Kingdom and Nigeria in December 2020. Since then, it has been reported in several other countries, including the United States, Denmark, and Canada. The spread of the Eta variant has been monitored by global health organizations to assess its impact on public health.

Impact on public health

The presence of the Eta variant has raised concerns due to its mutations, which may affect vaccine efficacy and the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody treatments. However, studies are ongoing to determine the exact impact of these mutations on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

Vaccine efficacy

Preliminary data suggest that the Eta variant may have some degree of resistance to neutralization by antibodies generated by current vaccines. However, vaccines are still expected to provide protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Ongoing research is crucial to fully understand the implications of the Eta variant on vaccine performance.

Related pages

• Variants of SARS-CoV-2
• COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant
• SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant
• SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant