New strains of coronavirus: how dangerous they are and will vaccinations help
'31.01.2021'
Source: ИноСМИ
The world is scared again. Coronavirus mutates, new strains, according to media reports, are more infectious, and information about their appearance is forcing governments to close borders and introduce new quarantine measures. Should you be afraid of them? And what is the difference between mutation and strain? What do the experts think about this? Tells "Inosmi".
Below we will tell you about the three new strains of coronavirus, how they differ from mutations, and what the risks are. We'll also share some good news at the end of the article.
First: what is the difference between mutation and strain?
A mutation is a change in genetic material. Some mutations leave no trace, but others affect the spread and lethality of the virus.
A strain is a mutation of a virus. In other words, each strain of coronavirus includes a set of mutations.
What do we know about new strains of coronavirus?
"British" strain of coronavirus
Name: B.1.1.7
The most important mutations it contains:
- N501Y. The French newspaper Le Figaro reported that the mutation makes the virus more infectious.
- 70del-69
- P681H
"South African" strain of coronavirus
Known by several names: B.1.351 and 501Y. V2
The most important mutations it contains:
- N501Y
- K417N
- E484K. According to Le Figaro's report, this mutation is considered the most dangerous. Viruses with the E484K mutation are able to more effectively evade antibodies obtained from the blood plasma of patients who have recovered from covid-19.
Scientists warned that the strain found in South Africa transmits about 50% faster and overcomes some of the antibodies produced in response to other variants of the virus.
The British newspaper Daily Mail reported that a coronavirus with a mutation that alters the structure of the S-protein can evade the immune response in the body of a person who had previously had Covid-19.
Scientists from South Africa found that 48% of blood samples from people who have been infected with the coronavirus in the past showed no immune response to the new strain of coronavirus. According to one researcher, "It's very clear that we have a problem."
Professor Penny Moore, head of the study, said people who had the classic coronavirus and had a stronger immune response were less likely to get infected again.
The study found that people infected with the coronavirus three months ago or more may not have full natural immunity if they contract a newer version of Covid-19.
On the subject: More than 100 million people infected with coronavirus: can vaccines stop the pandemic
"Brazilian" strain of coronavirus
Name: B.1.1.248
The most important mutations it contains:
- N501Y
- E484K
According to a report by Le Figaro, the discovery of the "Brazilian" strain of coronavirus made a big splash due to the presence of two mutations at once. The new strain caused a blast of infections in the city of Manaus, which was badly affected by the disease during the first wave. Earlier, scientists said that city residents are close to acquiring "herd immunity."
According to the authors of the report, the "Brazilian" strain is the most contagious to date. It is resistant to the immunity acquired after the first wave of coronavirus.
Why are new mutations making the virus more infectious?
The speed with which the "British" strain has established itself and spread in the UK suggests that it is 50-70% more infectious than the classic virus. The biological reasons are not yet very clear, but suspicions are focused on the N501Y mutation, which is characteristic of two other strains - "South African" and "Brazilian".
This mutation appears to alter the shape of the spines covering the surface of the virus so that they more effectively “attach” to the ACE2 receptors in human cells.
As a result, less virus is required to infect a person.
Where have new strains of coronavirus been found?
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the "British" strain of coronavirus has been identified in at least 60 countries.
The new coronavirus strain found in the UK is more infectious than the original SARS-Cov-2 virus. As of January 12, it has been identified in 50 states.
The organization's weekly newsletter says the second strain of coronavirus, which first appeared in South Africa, is considered more infectious than the "British" version, but spreads more slowly. To date, the "South African" strain of coronavirus has been identified in 23 countries, three more than was detected on January 12.
Rapid spread
A new strain found in the UK is spreading at a high rate. A report published by the French newspaper Le Figaro says that the epidemiological situation in France remains unstable. The daily increase is 20 cases, while the number of patients with infection in hospitals and outpatients has increased.
The baseline reproductive number is 1,19, according to the National Public Health Agency. This means that the epidemic is developing. The increase in cases is less significant compared to November last year. It is too early to determine the effectiveness of curfews after 18:00 pm, but the expectations of the epidemiologists are not very encouraging.
The baseline reproductive number indicates the number of people who will be infected with a typical sick person in a completely unimmunized environment. It helps predict the scale and speed of the spread of the disease, as well as target policies to quickly contain the outbreak.
“If not for the emergence of new strains of coronavirus, the situation would have stabilized in the next few weeks,” said Vitoria Coliza, director of the National Institute for Health and Medical Research, which specializes in modeling infectious diseases.
Are masks effective against new strains of coronavirus?
The Supreme Council of Public Health (HCSP) recommends against using certain sheet masks, including homemade masks, as they are not effective enough in preventing coronavirus infection.
The French newspaper Le Figaro cited a spokesman for the Supreme Council of Public Health who recommended avoiding the use of Category 2 fabric respirators.
Didier Lubelletier, head of the Covid-19 working group of the Supreme Council of Public Health, said: “With the spread of new strains of coronavirus in Europe, more infectious than their predecessor, there is a question about masks that should be worn to protect against the virus. ".
He added that a working group of the Supreme Council of Public Health has developed a number of new recommendations that will be presented to the French Ministry of Health.
French authorities recommended the use of Category 1 reusable cloth masks as a protective measure, rather than Category 2 respirator masks or homemade masks.
The French Association for Standardization (AFNOR) reported that Category 1 masks filter 90% of particles, compared to 70% for Category 2.
Lubelletier confirmed that Category 1 fabric masks are as effective as medical masks.
The working group of the Supreme Council of Public Health also emphasizes that the safe distance to prevent transmission of infection is two meters, not one.
“In December, we updated the requirements for maintaining a social distance of at least two meters. New recommendations can be adopted at the official level. The Ministry of Health has two options: either follow the recommendations of the Supreme Council of Public Health, or ignore them. In general, the recommendations are aimed at ensuring that decision-makers choose the right health policy, ”said Lubelletier.
On the subject: 70% more infectious: symptoms of a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus
Good news
1. Professor Salim Abdel Karim, chair of the ministerial advisory committee on Covid-19 in South Africa, said the new strain of coronavirus had no impact on the mortality of the disease. This was reported on Tuesday by Bloomberg and the German press.
2. The results of laboratory tests have shown that the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech is effective against mutated strains of infection found in the UK.
The promising blood test results of the test participants are based on a broader analysis than the results published by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer last week.
Pfizer reported last week that a similar laboratory study showed the vaccine was effective against one key mutation, called N501Y, found in two new strains spreading in the UK and South Africa.
3. According to the Deutsche Welle report, there is no indication that the new strains are more resistant to modern vaccines.
Even if it turns out that antibodies do not respond well to this mutation, they can still affect other components of the mutated viruses. Vincent Inow of the Pasteur Institute in Paris said that even if their effectiveness diminished, they would still be able to neutralize the virus.
"I don't think this mutation in itself is a problem for vaccines," said immunologist Renaud Rapoli, scientific director of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Rapoli participated in the preparation of a study published on December 28, which aimed to monitor new strains of coronavirus in the laboratory. He concluded that it was necessary to develop vaccines and antibodies capable of controlling new strains.
A new mutation can make vaccination difficult. At this stage, all vaccines are effective, Rapoli said, but scientists are concerned about the likelihood of future mutations. He insists that a global vaccination is needed as soon as possible.
The material is published for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and does not replace medical advice. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for any diagnosis made by the reader based on the site's materials, as well as for the consequences of self-medication, and may not share the point of view of the author or expert.
