What do we know about the new strain of the coronavirus?
A new strain of the coronavirus, named B.1.1.529, has been identified in South Africa, and authorities in that country say it is concerning. Fear of a new strain that could spread the disease in many countries, putting healthcare systems under pressure, reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, and dampen efforts to reopen borders and economic activity has once again emerged worldwide.
How is this strain different from previous ones?
Scientists say that the South African strain includes a large number of mutations in the spike protein, which plays a key role in the virus entering the body’s cells. According to published information, this strain has a total of 50 mutations, with over 30 mutations occurring on the spike protein. This is twice as much as the Delta variant identified in India. The spike protein is the target of vaccines. Researchers are still trying to determine whether this strain is more transmissible or deadly compared to previous strains.
Where did this strain come from?
There is no definitive opinion on this yet, and it is currently speculative. François Balloux, a scientist at the Institute of Genetics in London, suggested that the virus may have evolved during chronic infection in a person with a compromised immune system. He raised the possibility that the person could be an untreated HIV/AIDS patient. South Africa has 2.8 million people living with HIV, the highest number of HIV cases in the world. The beta type of the coronavirus, a strain identified in South Africa last year, may have evolved in an individual infected with HIV.
How widespread is this strain?
It appears that this strain has become dominant in South Africa. According to researchers, 90% of the 1,100 new cases reported on Thursday in Gauteng province, South Africa, centered around Johannesburg, are due to the new variant. It may also be present in 8 other provinces of the country. In Botswana, a neighboring country to South Africa, authorities reported 4 cases on Monday in individuals who were fully vaccinated. In Hong Kong, a traveler from South Africa was infected with this strain, and another case was identified in a quarantined individual. In addition to 1 confirmed case and 2 cases under investigation in Israel, the first case in Europe was also identified in Belgium on Friday.
How concerning is this strain?
It is still too early to determine the level of concern. The World Health Organization says that there are less than 100 complete genome sequences of the new strain that need to be studied, and the performance of current vaccines on it needs to be investigated. Viruses always mutate, but sometimes the virus weakens with mutation, and sometimes it becomes more adept at evading our immunity.
Rate this content
Total votes: 0 Average score: 0
