New Delhi:
A new coronavirus variant – B.1.1.529 – has been red flaged by scientists globally for an alarmingly high number of mutant mutations that could make the virus more resistant to drugs, increasing its transmissibility and lead to more severe symptoms.
Here are 10 things to know about the new COVID-19 variant:
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Variant B.1.1.529 has a total of 50 mutations, of which more than 30 are in mutant protein only. The mutant protein is the target of most current COVID-19 vaccines and is what the virus uses to unlock access to our body’s cells.
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There are also 10 mutations on the receptor-binding region portion of the variant, compared with two in the Delta variant. The Delta Plus variant mutated from the latter is characterized by a K417N mutation on the mutant protein; This mutation is involved in immune escape, but it is not clear if this is one of the mutations in B.1.1.529.
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This new variant may have developed in one patient – possibly during the chronic infection of an immunocompromised person (possibly in an untreated HIV/AIDS patient) Francois Balloux, Director Director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said.
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First identified in South Africa this week, the virus has spread to nearby countries, including Botswana, where fully vaccinated people have been infected. In South Africa, more than 100 cases are associated with this variant, with several others in Botswana.
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Two cases have also been detected in Hong Kong, where two travelers from southern parts of Africa have been quarantined, according to local law, in separate rooms.
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This morning, epidemiologist Dr Eric Feigl-Ding tweeted about patient samples from two infected people in Hong Kong. “The PCR values of Ct 18 and 19… are insanely high because they were negative in recent PCR tests,” he said.
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What’s more concerning is that the patients were in separate rooms, suggesting that this variant was airborne. “…it looks like vaccine evasion could be real with this variant…and yes, it’s very airborne. Hotel guests are in another room across the hallway. Lip samples The school found the virus in 25 out of 87 swabs in both rooms.” Dr Feigl-Ding tweeted.
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On Thursday, India called for strict screening of passengers from these countries. “This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and therefore, to have a serious public health impact on the country, due to the recently relaxed visa restrictions and the reopening of the country. international tourism,” the ministry said.
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The UK quickly requested a halt to flights from six African countries, including South Africa and Botswana.
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The World Health Organization has called for caution in the early stages of dealing with this variant; The global health body says more research is needed to understand how B.1.1.529 works. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO COVID-19 Technical Team Leader, stressed the importance of ensuring adequate immunization.
With input from AFP, Bloomberg, Reuters
