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A highly infectious variant of coronavirus that was first detected in the UK is now spreading rapidly in the US The variant, B.1.1.7, has been detected in at least 34 states so far and is expected to continue to circulate.
A new pre-print study estimates that cases of the variant double in the US every nine days, with an increased transmission rate of up to 45%. “Our study shows that the United States is on a similar trajectory to other countries where B.1.1.7 quickly became the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2, requiring immediate and decisive action,” the researchers wrote. .
In a January report, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that B.1.1.7 could become the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. , in March. Another report published by the UK government’s scientific advisory group found that there is a “realistic chance” that a B.1.1.7 infection “is associated with an increased risk of death” compared to other strains of the virus.
The findings are “concerning,” said Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in a Jan. 35 report. interview in Today. “The data is not officially out, but taking a look at the preliminary data that UK scientists have analyzed, I am quite convinced that there is a degree of increase in the severity of the actual infection that we really have to keep an eye on. “.
Here’s what experts know about the coronavirus B.1.1.7 variant so far and what you can do to protect yourself.
What is B.1.1.7 and where does it come from?
Coronavirus variants, such as B.1.1.7, began to emerge after the original dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 began to mutate. It is important to remember that everybody viruses mutate. They are not always a cause for concern, but others are worth watching when they start to spread quickly.
“When SARS-CoV-2 replicates, mistakes are made, not infrequently,” said Stanley H. Weiss, MD, a professor at the Rutgers New Jersey School of Medicine and the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the School of Medicine. Rutgers Public Health. Prevention.com. “Most of these are faulty, they don’t reproduce very well, they don’t continue and they don’t matter. Occasionally, the wrong set of combinations and mutations can occur. “
B.1.1.7 stands out for its number of mutations (six key mutations, to be exact) including some that directly involve the spike protein, which has generated “great interest,” says Dr. Weiss, as this is the part of the coronavirus that attaches itself to human cells.
The CDC reports that B.1.1.7 is estimated to have emerged in the UK in September 2020 and is associated with “more efficient and faster transmission”. It has now been detected in several countries, including the US and Canada.
How many states have confirmed B.1.1.7 infections?
Variant B.1.1.7 was first identified in the US in December. A Colorado man in his 20s with no reported travel history tested positive and recovered in isolation.
Since then, at the time of publication, nearly 1,000 B.1.1.7 infections have been identified in 34 states, according to CDC data. Florida and California, in particular, have significantly higher B.1.1.7 case counts. That number is expected to rise nationally in the coming months.
Does variant B.1.1.7 cause different symptoms of COVID-19?
There’s a lot scientists don’t know about this variant, but “the symptoms don’t seem to be any different at this point,” says Prathit Kulkarni, MD, assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
As a result, there is “no way” for you to know if your symptoms could be due to the parent strain of SARS-CoV-2 or B.1.1.7, says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo. In New York. “Only the tests will tell you if you have this variant,” he says.
That means you should still be on the lookout for the most common signs of COVID-19: fever, chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or discharge. nasal, nausea. or vomiting or diarrhea.
Is B.1.1.7 Really Much More Contagious?
Based on the data we have so far, yes. In fact, a preprint study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that variant B.1.1.7 is 56% more contagious than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. Another study, by researchers at Imperial College London, found that the viral replication of B.1.1.7 (the average number of people to whom an infected person transmits the virus) was 1.45. The number before the variant emerged was 0.92.
B.1.1.7 was first detected in the UK in September, but the variant accounted for a quarter of cases in London in November, according to the BBC. In the week of December 9, it was responsible for 60% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in London. “There is emerging data suggesting that the new variant is 50 to 60% more contagious than the most widely circulating strain,” says Dr. Kulkarni.
There is also data to suggest that B.1.1.7 is more likely to infect children, the UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threat Advisory Group told science journalists in mid-December. “We haven’t established any kind of causality on that, but we can see it in the data,” said Neil Ferguson, a professor and epidemiologist of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, according to Reuters. We will need to collect more data to see how it performs in the future. “
Do available COVID-19 vaccines have an effect against B.1.1.7?
Currently, the manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccines licensed for use in the US – Modern and Pfizer – have stated that their vaccines are up to 95% effective against B.1.1.7. Novavax, which is currently in phase 3 clinical trials in the US, announced in late January that its vaccine was nearly 86% effective against B.1.1.7.
What should you do to protect yourself from B.1.1.7?
In addition to B.1.1.7, other highly infectious variants have been detected in the US, including those that arose from Brazil and South Africa. This shouldn’t panic you, but it should serve as a reminder that now is not the time to stop “following common sense precautions,” says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, principal investigator at the Johns Hopkins Center. for Health Security.
“The basic public health recommendations also remain the same,” says Dr. Kulkarni. Keep avoiding large gatherings, social distancing from people outside your home, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a mask that fits comfortably over your nose and mouth.
For added protection, particularly in high-risk environments, such as on a crowded bus or in line at a busy grocery store, experts (including Dr. Fauci) say you can opt for a double mask (wear a mask or KN95 with a cloth mask on, provided it does not restrict breathing) or wear a face shield over your mask.
Dr. Russo emphasizes that “we are likely to have additional COVID-19 variations in the future” and we will have to adjust our response accordingly, so when you have the opportunity to receive the vaccine, it is crucial that you do so to protect yourself. himself and those around him.
This article is accurate as of press time. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. While we aim to keep all of our stories up to date, please visit the online resources provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who, and you local public health department to stay informed on the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.
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