Lambda Variant overview
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel coronavirus had undergone mutations in order to survive and adapt leading to deadlier and more infectious strains.
The COVID-19 Lambda variant, also known as lineage C.37, is a mutated strain of the novel coronavirus which causes the coronavirus disease. The Lambda variant is increasingly being studied by scientists and researchers since they are seeing the variant as a new emerging threat. WHO named it the Lambda variant on June 14, 2021, and nominated it as a “variant of interest”.
When and where it started?
The Lambda variant was first detected in Peru in December 2020. By April 2021, about 80% of the cases in Peru were reported to be due to the Lambda variant, according to Peru’s National Institute of Health.
But, scientists say that the Lambda variant originated in South America in August 2020.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the Lambda variant infection is similar to the original variant of the COVID-19. The symptoms include:
- Dry and persistent cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
- Shortness of breath
- Digestion issues
- 10.Flu-like respiratory symptoms
A patient infected with the Lambda strain of the novel coronavirus will present with at least one of the above symptoms.
Geographical distribution (epidemiology)
The Lambda variant has been detected in about 30 countries worldwide. First detected in Peru and then the Lambda variant spread to South America in June 2021. Among other countries infected with the Lambda strain, cases in Argentine, Chile, Arequipa, Ecuador, and Cusco are on the rise.
Australia reported its first case on July 6, 2021, in an overseas traveler from New South Wales.
Similarly, Texas reported its first case on July 19, 2021.
| Country | Total Lambda variant cases | Lambda variant cases in last 4 weeks |
| Chile | 1,432 | 35 |
| Peru | 1,201 | 0 |
| USA | 825 | 15 |
| Ecuador | 187 | 2 |
| Mexico | 180 | 1 |
| Spain | 116 | 0 |
| Argentina | 111 | 0 |
| Germany | 87 | 0 |
| France | 53 | 3 |
| Colombia | 49 | 0 |
| Canada | 26 | 0 |
| Israel | 25 | 0 |
| Italy | 12 | 0 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 10 | 0 |
| Switzerland | 8 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 8 | 0 |
| Brazil | 6 | 0 |
| Costa Rica | 4 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 0 |
| El Salvador | 3 | 0 |
| Belgium | 2 | 0 |
| Bolivia | 1 | 0 |
| Uruguay | 1 | 0 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 |
| Mayotte | 1 | 0 |
| Japan | 1 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 1 | 0 |
| Aruba | 1 | 0 |
| Portugal | 1 | 0 |
| Denmark | 1 | 1 |
Source: www.gisaid.org
Updated on: 18 August, 2021
Infectivity
The Lambda variant has seven amino acid mutations on its spike proteins and this makes it easier to invade and infect the human body cells. Spike proteins are mushroom-shaped projections on the outer coat of the virus which helps the virus to attach and invade the human cells.
One of the mutations in the spike protein identified as L452Q is similar to a mutation in the Delta variant. So, some scientists have placed caution that this Lambda variant can be more transmissible than the Delta strain of the novel coronavirus.
But it is still unclear whether the Lambda strain is more transmissible than the original variant, whether it causes a more severe disease or increases the risk of hospitalizations.
Death rate
Lambda variant has the highest per capita coronavirus death rate across the globe.
Peru (the first country where the Lambda variant was initially detected) has the highest death rate of any country in the world, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center. About 600 deaths per 100,000 infected with the virus have been reported.
Effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines against the Lambda variant
Unvaccinated people are definitely at a higher risk of being infected with the Lambda strain. Nevertheless, vaccinated individuals do have a significantly increased risk of developing Lambda variant infection.
This is because the Lambda variant is more resistant to the COVID vaccines than the other strains. Even the WHO-approved vaccines such as Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnsons and Johnsons are less effective against the Lambda variant of the novel coronavirus. This is because the Lambda strain is able to neutralize the antibodies produced in the human body due to a previous coronavirus infection or COVID vaccinations.
Difference between the original variant and the Lambda variant
Dr. Stuart Ray, a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital says that “the Lambda variant is a sort of cousin of the alpha variant”- the original variant of the novel coronavirus. However, a few differences do exist according to the recent studies:
- The death rate due to the Lambda variant is relatively higher as compared to that of the original strain of COVID-19.
- Vaccines are less effective and powerful against the Lambda variant than the original variant.
How to protect yourself from the Lambda variant?
Though vaccines are less effective against the Lambda variant but at least confer some protection. So, it is better to get vaccinated as soon as possible and complete the full course of vaccination. Try to get a WHO-approved vaccine.
Since vaccines are not the only line of defense against the virus so, it is important to follow all necessary SOPs such as social distancing and the use of face masks to protect against the Lambda variant. The WHO has advised even vaccinated people to continue practicing social distancing and to continue wearing masks.
Reference
Mónica L. Acevedo, L. A.-P.-E.-R. (2021, July 01). Infectivity and immune escape of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest Lambda. Retrieved from medRxiv The preprint server for health sciences: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.28.21259673v1.full
