How is the "invasion" prevention and control strategy of Omi kerong different? Experts propose to develop an inhalation vaccine as soon as possible

The Tianjin Municipal Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters released a message on the evening of January 9 that in the 24 hours as of 9 p.m. on the 9th, 20 new cases of positive covid-19 were screened in the sealing and control area, but the genetic sequence test results of nucleic acid samples have not yet been reported.

On January 8, Tianjin added two new cases of indigenous infection in Aumi Kerong, which instantly sounded the epidemic prevention alarm to meet the Battle of Aomi Kerong. Due to the highly contagious and hidden transmission characteristics of the Omiljung variant, it has added challenges to the new round of epidemic prevention and control.

Asymptomatic rely on screening epidemic prevention focus on input

When the first financial reporter learned about the epidemic situation in Tianjin from relevant experts of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, he did not obtain further information on the analysis of the newly discovered virus strain samples. Epidemiological investigations are also ongoing.

Professor Lu Hongzhou, president of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen and national clinical research center for infectious diseases, was interviewed by the first financial reporter on the latest epidemic progress. Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter: "At present, China has not completely achieved herd immunity through effective vaccination, and now the policy of dynamic zero clearance and external prevention of import and internal prevention of rebound still needs to be adhered to." ”

Lu Hongzhou believes that in view of the recent epidemic, the epidemic prevention strategy will be appropriately tightened. He also responded to the recommendations for targeted strategies for features such as the concealed spread of Omikejong.

The first financial reporter saw a review article about Lu Hongzhou's upcoming "Scientific Prevention and Control of the Novel Coronavirus Aomi Kerong Variant Strain" wrote: "Studies have shown that the Aomi Kerong variant mainly infects the upper respiratory tract, and the clinical symptoms after infection are lighter than those of the previous Delta strain, mostly asymptomatic and mild, and the hospitalization rate is reduced." However, given the ultra-high rate of transmission of the Omikejong variant, the global health system is still under enormous pressure. ”

"At present, the symptoms of Aomi Kerong infection are relatively mild, and most of them are asymptomatic infected, which makes it more difficult for early detection." But these asymptomatic infected people are still contagious, and for asymptomatic infected people, nucleic acid testing is the only means of detecting cases at an early stage of screening. Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter.

Recently, virus expert Zhang Yongzhen also appealed through Weibo that no matter what stage of the epidemic situation is in, in the case of accessibility, the timely disclosure of the necessary and accurate activity trajectory of the new crown infection is one of the biggest ways to protect public health.

Lu Hongzhou believes that what everyone is most worried about now is the outbreak of cluster cases, because the virus has begun to spread insidiously, so more cases will be found in the screening in the next few days.

Lu Hongzhou stressed that considering that the source of infection of the Aomi Kerong strain is still in the import link, the focus of future epidemic prevention should still be the inspection and quarantine at ports of entry and other places. "We recommend regular nucleic acid testing for high-risk occupations and the environment and personnel associated with them, especially for items, cold chains, food, postal packages, etc., and the temperature during transportation is often low, which promotes the survival time of the virus." Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter.

Respiratory immunity blocks the first barrier of virus invasion

At present, Lu Hongzhou's team is also strengthening the genetic sequencing of viruses, as well as related research on the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies and vaccines. He suggested that the response to the Olmiqueron strain could be tried with inhaled vaccines for respiratory mucosal immunity, which might be better.

"This is because there are studies that show that Omi kerong multiplies in the respiratory tract in large quantities, and before the virus enters the respiratory tract, we have to be able to control it and thus prevent infection." Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter, "The top priority now is to find an inhaled long-acting vaccine that can stimulate the mucosal immunity of the respiratory tract." ”

A study by a research team in Hong Kong, China, last December showed that Omilon was infected and multiplied in the bronchi at a rate 70 times faster than the Delta variant and the original strain of covid-19.

At present, the new crown vaccines that have been put on the market are all injected intramuscularly, but some companies have developed inhalation vaccines. Vaccine manufacturer Consino has developed an inhaled version of its single-dose adenovirus vector vaccine, using the same formulation but in a different way of administration. After the vaccine is atomized, the inhalation device is loaded, and the vaccinator can hold his breath against the cup mouth for 5 seconds to complete the vaccination. According to reports, this vaccine is about to be launched.

Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter that even in the face of the invasion of Omicron, there are still reasons to be optimistic. Mainly because the results of the current vaccine enhancer study show that the booster needle can induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies, can neutralize Omilon, and also has the effect of preventing severe disease; and the existing drugs are still effective for Omilon, especially drugs that target non-spike protein are not affected by viral mutations. In addition, current public health measures, including ventilation, safe distancing, frequent hand washing and mask wearing, can also effectively combat the Ami kerong variant.

Looking to the future, Lu Hongzhou said that while doing a good job of personal protection measures, early diagnosis and timely isolation measures are also important to cut off the spread of the Aumecreon variant, coupled with the third dose of vaccine as soon as possible to strengthen immunity, while through the development of Opickron-specific vaccines, as well as the development of broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies and other initiatives, the epidemic will certainly be able to defeat the epidemic.