By NG Seruela
As the Philippines still faces the threat of the highly transmissible Delta variant, which is one of the reasons for the increase in the COVID-19 cases in the country based on experts, the country reported its first COVID-19 Lambda variant case on Sunday (Aug. 15).
Definition of the Lambda variant
The Lambda variant was first detected in Peru in August 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the lineage C.37 or the Lambda variant as a variant of interest (VOI) on June 14, 2021 after meeting the organization’s working definition of VOI.
A variant is considered as a VOI if it meets the following:
- Genetic changes that are predicted or known to affect virus characteristics such as transmissibility, disease severity, immune escape, diagnostic or therapeutic escape.
- Identified to cause significant community transmission or multiple COVID-19 clusters, in multiple countries with increasing relative prevalence alongside increasing number of cases over time, or other apparent epidemiological impacts to suggest an emerging risk to global public health.
The Lambda variant was said to be “prevalent” in South American countries.
“Elevated prevalence has been noted particularly in South America in countries such as Chile (31% overall prevalence among submitted sequences since first detected in this location to date), Peru (9%), Ecuador (8%), and Argentina (3%),” the WHO said.
The organization added that the authorities in Peru reported that “81% of COVID-19 cases sequenced since April 2021 were associated with Lambda.”
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday (Aug. 16), Philippine Genome Center Director for Health Programs Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco Dela Paz said the variant is detected in 97% of the cases in Lima, Peru.
“Ang Peru ay isa sa may pinakamataas na bilang ng may sakit sa COVID bawat capita sa ngayon. Sa bawat 100,000 ng populasyon, 596 po ang namamatay sa COVID,” she added.
Characteristics of the Lambda variant
Based on the WHO, the Lambda variant carries a number of mutations “with suspected phenotypic implications, such as a potential increased transmissibility or possible increased resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”
It is said that its mutation, similar with other variants, takes place in the spike protein.
“Mayroon po siyang mga mutations sa spike protein na maaari pong mas madali siyang makapanghawa dahil po mas madali siyang kumapit sa [cell] na kanyang aatakihin,” Dr. Dela Paz said.
Furthermore, PGC Executive Director Cynthia Saloma on July 7 said that the Lambda variant did not emerge from the Delta variant. They have different lineages.
“It has been associated with the increase of cases doon sa South America lalo na sa Peru,” Saloma added.
However, experts said that more studies and evidence must be conducted to better define the Lambda variant.
“Mayroon din pong pinapakita siyang characteristic na maaaring ang antibodies ay mas [mahihirapang] i-neutralize ang virus, subalit ito po ay kailangan pa ng patuloy na pag-aaral,” Dela Paz said.
COVID-19 vaccine vs. Lambda variant
Department of Science and Technology – Vaccine Experts Panel (DOST-VEP) member Dr. Nina Gloriani said on Monday (Aug. 16) the information on the vaccine efficacy against the Lambda variant is still lacking.
However, she shared that based on a study in Chile, the neutralizing antibodies decreased “threefold” against the variant.
“Sa Chile, mayroon silang pag-aaral na bumaba by threefold ang neutralizing antibodies against the Lambda variant.”
Dr. Gloriani assured that the vaccines against COVID-19 still protect the recipients against severe forms of the disease.
“Pero ‘yung mga bakuna ay nakaka-protect pa rin dito sa lahat ng mga variants na ito against the severe form of COVID due to the variants.”
Philippines’ first Lambda variant case
The Philippines recorded its first Lambda variant case on Aug. 15. It was detected in a 35-year-old female without any symptoms. The Department of Health (DOH) said that she recovered following a 10-day isolation period.
Dr. Dela Paz announced that based on the DOH’s report, the first case was a local case. She was not a returning overseas Filipino.
The department said it is currently conducting back tracing and case investigation following its statement on Aug. 15.
READ MORE: http://152.42.253.13/doh-up-pgc-up-nih-confirm-first-case-of-lambda-variant-in-ph/
Experts continuously urge the public to observe the minimum health standards against the threat of the COVID-19 variants. – rir
