Reports from Britain and South Africa of new coronavirus strains that seem to spread more easily are causing alarm, but virologists say it’s unclear if that’s the case or whether they pose any concern for vaccines or cause more severe disease.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions because of the new strain, and several European Union countries banned or limited some flights from the U.K. to try to limit any spread.
Here’s what is known about the situation:
* Health experts in the U.K. and U.S. said the strain seems to infect more easily than others, but there is no evidence yet it is more deadly.
* Patrick Vallance, the British government’s chief scientific adviser, said that the strain “moves fast and is becoming the dominant variant,” causing over 60% of infections in London by December.
* The strain is also concerning because it has so many mutations — nearly two dozen — and some are on the spiky protein that the virus uses to attach to and infect cells. That spike is what current vaccines target.
* “I’m worried about this, for sure,” but it’s too soon to know how important it ultimately will prove to be, said Dr. Ravi Gupta, who studies viruses at the University of Cambridge in England. He and other researchers posted a report of it on a website scientists use to quickly share developments, but the paper has not been formally reviewed or published in a journal.
Currently, there is no firm evidence that new mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 causes a more intense illness or leads to a higher fatality rate.
Dear Walid Hassene Hamri
In your question, You have provide us the enough knowledge about the new strain of COVID. Yes, This is really a very difficult time for all of us. Because, The COVID outbreak was not finished yet and now this new strain has give his intro.
Thanks, Sourbh Garg for the reply. Yes, I know that I provided enough knowledge about the new strain of COVID but who said that this is a question. it's supposed to be a discussion !!
Emergence of new strains of the pathogen during an outbreak, epidemic and pandemic should always be concerning for at least 3 reasons - higher infectivity, more virulence and antigenic variability affecting protection after disease and vaccination. A few countries, US, UK, Sweden, Brazil, etc helped spread the disease in a hope of herd immunity after infection. This approach not only had more cases, high morbidity and mortality after the disease, but helps in mutations. Every time a virus passes through a host, there are chances of mutations leading to new strains.
I totally agree with you Rajesh K Gupta and thanks for your contribution.
Yws,I am warried about the disease Covid_19 scientifically mutation occur among RNA viruses in stress conditions results emerging new generations differ in virulance that is mean rapid spread(contagiousness)but antigenicity need study if the emerge is identical antigenitically to covid__19.
So,Main problem is emerging new generations which differs antigenically from parent strains until now all informations indicate no far distance from covid_19.
Currently, there is no firm evidence that new mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 causes a more intense illness or leads to a higher fatality rate.
@ Walid Hassene Hamri
Children could be more susceptible to the new mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Thanks!
Until now non of the authrized urgent vaccine decide vaccination of children.Thanks
There is very limited data about the new variant of COVID-19.
It does seem to be more infectious but not more virulent.
So more people will need hospitalisation because of the increased number of people infected.
It is still unclear whether the vaccines will reduce the risk of catching the new variant of COVID-19.
Well this is a situation, the universe has never seen before. So, according to me, this is a matter of great concern and worry...
Rajkumar Rajendram so in other words more hospitalization means more related mortality.
The emergence of the new strain of SARS-CoV2 raises alot of concern due to high infectivity rate and rapid transmission.
Yes,l am worried because of the high contagiousness of the new varient first,second delay in the vaccination process due to lack of vaccine.
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