COVID-19 cases rise again in India! Pirola variant sparks concern, vaccine immunity weakening
22 May 2025 | JanmatExpress.com
Highlights:
- COVID-19 cases rising again in India, especially in southern and western states.
- New ‘Pirola’ variant may evade existing vaccine-induced immunity.
- Experts advise high-risk groups — elderly, children, and immunocompromised — to stay extra cautious.
What is the Pirola Variant, and Why Is It Dangerous?
A new wave of COVID-19 seems to be hitting India, with rising active cases reported in Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. This spike is attributed to the BA.2.86 subvariant of Omicron, known globally as Pirola.
Experts say Pirola carries over 30 mutations, especially in the spike protein — the part that helps the virus enter human cells. These mutations allow the virus to spread faster and potentially evade existing immune defenses.
Are Old Vaccines Still Effective?
According to Dr. Jatin Ahuja, Infectious Disease Specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi — the JN.1 subvariant can bypass vaccine-acquired immunity. Though symptoms may resemble Omicron, high-risk patients could face severe illness.
A recent study (PLOS Pathogens) indicates that T and B cells triggered by earlier vaccinations can still recognize parts of the virus and reduce severity. However, updated mRNA vaccines are necessary to tackle emerging variants effectively.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Doctors urge special caution for people with pre-existing health conditions like:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Organ transplant recipients
Also at risk: Senior citizens, pregnant women, and young children.
Government & Health Ministry Guidelines:
- Wear masks in crowded areas
- Don’t miss your booster dose
- Get tested at the first sign of symptoms
- Protect vulnerable family members at home
COVID-19’s Global Journey
1. Where Did It Begin?
- In December 2019, mysterious pneumonia-like cases emerged in Wuhan, China.
- The virus was identified as part of the Coronavirus family and named SARS-CoV-2.
- The disease was termed COVID-19 — Coronavirus Disease 2019.
2. When Did It Become a Global Pandemic?
- On 11 March 2020, WHO declared it a global pandemic.
- The virus spread to over 200 countries.
- Air travel, schools, offices, and even weddings came to a halt.
3. What Were the Symptoms?
- Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste and smell.
- Some patients had headaches, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue.
4. The Vaccine Race
- Initially, treatment was only symptom-based.
- By 2021, multiple vaccines emerged:
- Covishield (AstraZeneca/Oxford)
- Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)
- Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sputnik V, and others.
5. Second and Third Waves
- Second Wave (2021): India was devastated by the Delta variant, with severe oxygen and bed shortages.
- Third Wave (2022): Omicron spread faster but was less severe.
6. Mutating Variants Over Time
- Alpha (UK)
- Beta (South Africa)
- Delta (India)
- Omicron (with subvariants: BA.1, BA.2, XBB, JN.1)
- BA.2.86 (Pirola) — ringing fresh alarm bells in 2025.
7. Social & Mental Impact of COVID-19
- Lockdowns led to massive https://janmatexpress.com/category/%e0%a4%ad%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%a4/ losses.
- Mental health crisis surged — depression, anxiety, and suicide cases increased.
- A new era of online education and remote work began.
8. India’s COVID-19 Response
- India delivered over 2 billion vaccine doses.
- The CoWIN platform became a global model for digital vaccination systems.
9. What’s the Situation in 2025?
- COVID-19 is now considered endemic — like the flu, it’s here to stay.
- Variants like JN.1 and Pirola continue to emerge.
- Masks, booster doses, and caution remain crucial.
HR क्या सच में कुछ नहीं करता? इस सवाल के पीछे की पूरी सच्चाई जानने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें और समझें HR का असली चेहरा।
COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on science, society, economy, and human history. It reshaped our world — a chapter future generations will study in textbooks.
