Covid variant first detected in South Africa’s most mutated variant found so far – world news

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1.2 strain has been linked to ‘increased transmissibility’ and has been found in England, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, New Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland.

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Huge queues for Covid tests like the South African alternative in Lambeth

Scientists have warned that one type of Covid virus in South Africa “could be more contagious” than other mutations and may have the ability to evade vaccines.

1.2 strain was first recognized by scientists in South Africa in May and has since been found in England, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, New Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland.

The strain has been linked to ‘increased transmissibility’ and is now said to be further mutation than the original virus first seen in Wuhan, China.

According to experts at South Africa’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Innovation and Sequencing Platform, the C.1.2 strain has a mutation rate of about 41.8 mutations per year.

1.2 strain has been linked to ‘increased transmissibility’ (

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Getty Images/RF Science Photo Library)

This is nearly twice the current global mutation rate seen in any other variable of concern (VOC) to date.

The researchers detected a monthly increase in the number of C.1.2 genomes in South Africa, which rose from 0.2 percent in May to 1.6 percent in June and 2.0 percent in July.

The Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants also showed a short period of continuous increase.

The scientists also found 14 mutations in nearly 50 percent of variants containing the C.1.2 sequence.

While more research is needed to “determine the functional impact of these mutations,” the scientists cautioned that the last variant, which was “significantly mutated,” could help the virus evade antibody and immune responses.

Researchers discover a monthly increase in the number of C.1.2 genomes in South Africa (stored image) (

picture:

Getty Images)

In the report, published in Nature, the scientists said: “We describe and characterize a newly identified SARS-CoV-2 strain with several sudden mutations that likely appeared in a major urban area in South Africa after the first wave of the epidemic. , then spread to multiple locations within two adjacent provinces.

“We show that this strain expanded rapidly and became prevalent in three provinces, at the same time as a rapid re-infection.

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“Although the full import of mutations is not yet clear, the genomic and epidemiological data suggest that this variant has a selective advantage—from increased susceptibility to transmissibility, immune escape, or both.

“These data highlight the urgent need to refocus the public health response in South Africa to drive transmission to lower levels, not only to reduce hospitalizations and deaths but also to limit the spread of this rate and further progression of the virus.”

The strain can have the ability to “evade vaccines” (stored image) (

picture:

Getty Images)

Public Health England published a report earlier this month that revealed that the C.1.2 strain was among 10 variants being monitored by scientists in the UK.

In April, scientists found another South African strain – called B.1.351 – that has the ability to ‘penetrate’ the Pfizer jab.

The study compared nearly 400 people who tested positive for Covid-19, 14 or more days after they had received one or two doses of the vaccine, versus the same number of non-immunized patients with the disease.

The researchers said the Pfizer vaccine appears to be less effective against the South African variant and has the potential to “evade” protection.

“We found a disproportionately higher rate of the South African variant among people vaccinated with a second dose, compared to the non-vaccinated group. This means that the South African variant is able, to some extent, to penetrate vaccine protection,” Thiel said. Adi Stern from Aviv University.

While the study results may cause concern, the low prevalence of the strain in South Africa among those tested was encouraging, according to Stern.

“Even if the South African variant did compromise vaccine protection, it would not have spread widely in the population,” he said, adding that the British variant could “prevent” the spread of the South African strain.

B.1.351 contains key mutations in the spike protein that scientists fear may make it difficult for the immune system to identify.

Prof. Dr. Sai Reddy (

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bsse)

Health chiefs last month discovered another type of Covid virus circulating in Britain, with 31 mutated strains now on a UK watch list.

An expert said last week that the coronavirus a “super variant” worse than Covid-19 could emerge next year and everyone who is not immune is a potential superspreader.

Immunologist Professor Sai Reddy of the Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich said a combination of existing strains could lead to a new and more dangerous phase of the epidemic.

He warned that “Covid 22 could be worse than what we are witnessing now.”

As a result, multiple vaccines will have to be prepared over the next few years as the world continues to battle the evolving threat, “perhaps for the rest of our lives.”

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