How is the new variant of covid ‘hellhound’ already spreading in Europe?

Since the detection of the coronavirusthe SARS-CoV2 has mutated to survive and, therefore, comprises different variants. The first and most lethal was the Alpha and the one that has been dominating for months in Spain and around the world is omicron and, in particular, its lineages BA.4 and BA.5. virus feels comfortable in the cold and the cases of covid The global market is booming at this time of the year. In addition, they do so through two new subvariants: the BQ.1 and the BQ.1.1. The problem is not that the virus continues to mutate, which is normal, but that the authorities estimate that the new strains will cause the 50% of infections at Europe between the end of the month and the beginning of December. Given its high transmissibilitythe BQ.1.1 has come to be popularly known as ‘hellhound‘. And of course, this name puts fear into anyone’s body.

The Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Center. (CCAES) issued last November 7 a report with the update of the epidemiological situation of covid variants in Spain. Random screening by PCR in the autonomous communities showed that the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages caused between 90.7% and 100% of the infections between October 24 and 30.

However, the document warns of the “rapid rate of growth“BQ.1 variant and its derivative, BQ.1.1 in other European countriesdubbed by scientists as Typhoon y Cancerberorespectively. The Minister of Health, Carolina Dariasreported on November 3 before the Health and Consumer Commission of the Congress of Deputies that the infections by this sublineage involves the 2.7% of total cases in the country.

How does he go from being called Cancerbero to ‘hellhound’?

The name change of this strain is all over social networks and the media. In the Greek mythologyCancerberus was the dog three-headed dog of the god Hades in the underworldhence the final nickname ‘hellhound’.

In the absence of what happens at the end of the month and in December, the first data show that its landing in Spain is quiet. However, it is necessary to look at Europe, since in some countries it already means the 37.5% of positives.

Symptoms of ‘Hellhound’ and Typhoon.

According to experts, subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1.1 contain modifications that make it difficult for the immune system recognizes and neutralizes the virus. That is why they have a higher transmissibility, regardless of whether people are vaccinated or not. In this regard, it is not yet known how much the shots protect against covid.

The symptoms of Cancebero and Typhoid are similar to those of the previous ones. After all, it is a mutation of the omicron variant. Therefore, the most common signs in case of infection are fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, malaise and muscle aches, nasal congestion and discharge, headache, choking sensation and loss of smell and taste.