Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organization, spoke to NDTV on Monday
New Delhi:
A mutant strain of the new coronavirus, first identified in the UK in September and rapidly replacing other variations of the virus, may already be present in several countries, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, the Organization’s chief scientist, told NDTV. World Health, Monday night. .
However, he also said that it is still too early to draw conclusions about the new strain, which according to initial data is up to 70 percent more transmissible, and that it is “unlikely that a couple of mutations” could affect the response of the system. immune to one of the existing Covid vaccines.
“The UK is one of those countries that is doing a lot of whole genome sequencing and is therefore able to track this very closely in real time. I suspect that as more countries look at their data, they might find this variant or a related variant, it might already be there, “Dr. Swaminathan told NDTV.
On Sunday, the UK said Italy had reported a person infected with the new strain, which has around 17 potentially significant changes to its viral genetic code. Cases have also been reported in Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands, with another aggressive strain in South Africa.
“There have been mutations (of other viruses) in the past that will become the dominant variant in the future. This may just be another variant,” he said, adding: “It is unlikely that a couple of mutations in the spike protein can change the immune system’s response to the vaccine. “
Dr Swaminathan said experiments were being carried out to better understand the new UK strain, labeled B.1.1.7, but said: “These are going to take a couple of weeks to get results.”
“For now, we encourage countries to do more sequencing. India has enormous capacity to do whole genome sequencing (one of the keys to developing an effective vaccine). In fact, India is already contributing quite a bit to a global database. which has about 300,000 sequences, “he said.
Dr. Swaminathan also noted that the measures to contain the virus were the same.
“It is really important that all countries put measures in place to control the virus and reduce transmission. We know what these measures are: testing, contact tracing and isolation of positive cases,” said Dr. Swaminathan.
The mutated version of the coronavirus that was detected in south-east England in September has quickly become the dominant strain in London and other parts of the UK, prompting increased infection rates and tougher levels of restrictions. for about 18 million people.
This morning India, along with nearly 30 other nations, issued a temporary ban on incoming flights from the UK. The ban will begin on Wednesday and all UK passengers prior to that date will be screened upon arrival. Maharashtra has also acted, imposing a nightly curfew until January 5.
News of the mutation has also raised concerns that the first batch of Covid vaccines may prove ineffective. However, medical experts, including Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, say there is no evidence, at this stage, of this.
On Monday, the head of the EU drug regulator said the Pfizer vaccine, which has been released to the public in the UK and is one of three being considered for emergency use in India, would protect against the new strain. .
With contributions from AFP
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