Scientists aren’t surprised to see the coronavirus change and evolve – that’s what the virus does, after all. And U.S. And with so many unchecked spreads to other parts of the world, the virus is getting plenty of opportunity to do just that.
The new four types are particularly worrisome.
“Recently identified variables seem to be spreading more easily. They are more transmissible, which could increase the number of cases, and increase stress on our already advanced system,” said Rochelle Valensky, newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. , Said in a briefing on Wednesday.
The greatest fear to scientists is that the person will change the point that it causes a more serious disease, bypasses the ability to diagnose tests, or avoids the protection provided by vaccinations. While changes in some of the new types appear to be thought to affect the immune response, it is only by a matter of degree.
Governments are already reacting. Colombia banned flights to Brazil, and Brazil banned flights to South Africa. It is almost certainly too late to stop the spread, and there are some indications that change in these forms is occurring independently and in multiple places.
Here’s what is known about the top four.
B.1.1.7
For the first time in Britain, there is a B.1.1.7 variant at the top of the list for U.S. researchers. The CDC has warned that it could worsen the spread of the epidemic. It reports more than 300 cases in 28 states – but these are the only cases caught by genomic sequencing, compared to U.S. cases. Is hit in.
Although people may be scared to hear about a new mutant virus, scientists say they are convinced by what they have discovered: the human immune system can handle variations that have spread so far, especially B.1.1. 7.
“As far as we know it spreads exactly the same way,” Grady Armstrong, who directs advanced molecular detection office fees at CDC, told CNN.
This means that the same measures already known to reduce the spread will also block new variants: the use of masks, avoiding social distance, large groups or crowds, and frequent hand washing.
However, the change in the variant helps those cells to enter more easily – which means that if someone says, they breathe air into the lungs that contains the virus particles, those particles infect some cells in the sinuses. Or than harmless ncing tricks without lungs. Anxious changes increase the spike protein that the virus uses to attach to cells, meaning that people become infected when they come in contact with it.
So people need to try hard to stop the spread until vaccination is fast.
“To interrupt the transmission, we need a higher rate of what we can do to slow down the transmission,” Armstrong said. “We need to pay more attention to wearing masks. And we need to increase vaccine coverage.”
There have been some confusing reports as to whether B.1.1.7 has caused a more serious disease in Britain.
“Recent data from the UK suggests it appears to be a bit more viral in the sense of potentially becoming a more serious disease.” The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fawcett told a webcast sponsored by the National Education Association on Thursday.
B.1.351
For the first time in South Africa, a variant known as B.1.351 or 501Y.V2 was reported in the U.S. Thursday, in South Carolina, was the first time.
Although both lived in different parts of the state and the two had not recently traveled, Dr. B. Brannan Traxler, the health department’s interim public health director, declined to say whether this was an indication that it was spreading in the community.
According to the World Health Organization, it has been found in more than 30 other countries.
Dr Matsidiso Moti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “The kind of idea that first came to South Africa quickly spread beyond Africa and so what is there to keep me awake at night. Said Thursday.
There is a different way of mutation that causes more physical change in the composition of spike protein than B.1.1.7. One important mutation, called E484K, appears to affect the receptor binding domain – the part of the spike protein that is most important for attaching cells.
It can help in partially release the virus from the effects of the vaccine. Armstrong said, “There is more concern about immune protection. Vaccine manufacturers and academic researchers are testing samples of this variant with others to see if they can avoid the immune response caused by vaccination.”
However, there is an additional cushion of immunity caused by vaccination, Fawcett says. It offers some wiggle rooms. “The good news is vaccines because they will still be effective against existing mutants. This thought-provoking news … as you get more and more copies, you can get more and more evolution of mutants, which means you’ve always met.” Take it one step further, “Fawcett told CNN on Monday.
“To be sure, there are a wide variety of antibodies that can neutralize the virus. Such items in plasma are likely to be resistant to gingivitis mutations,” said Dr. Rockefeller of the University of Vaccine.
Teams at Columbia University, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center at Columbia University and other locations have also tested laboratory versions of viral mutations against the blood of vaccinated people and say that while vaccination seems to have had little effect, it is not enough to weaken protection. Yet.
Just in case, Pfizer and Moderna are working to create a booster vaccine that will address mutated versions. The design of this vaccine means a quick and easy process – just plug it into the new version of the genetic code used to produce the vaccine.
There is also evidence that the changes alley green and co. And some can escape the monoclonal antibody treatment also made by Regeneron.
P.1
The suspected form of boosting the viral outbreak resurfaced in Brazil hit Minnesota for the first time this week. He was a tourist in Brazil, so there was no sign of the community spreading.
A survey conducted in the Brazilian city of Manaus found this type of P1 in a iant૨% sample, and Japanese authorities found this type in four travelers from Brazil.
The CDC said the emergence of this variant raises concerns about the potential for increased transmissibility or the possibility of SARS-COV-2 for re-infection of individuals. The P1 also carries the E484K transformation.
L425R
Finally, a new variant has been spotted in California, as well as a dozen other states. “We don’t know yet what its significance is,” Armstrong said. It also involves mutations in the receptor binding domain of spike proteins. It is called the L425R and while it is commonly found, it is not yet clear whether it is more transmissible.
Any viral strain may become more common because of what is known as the founding effect. Armstrong said the founding effect is that the virus stays in the right place at the right time. If a stress spreads when the transmission increases due to human behavior, that stress will become normal by riding, not because it spreads more easily, but because it was there.
It will take further studies to show whether these types can increase the already astronomical spread of the virus. U.S. Has more than 25 million diagnostic cases and more than 430,000 deaths.
“The emergence of variants underscores the need for public health action.”
“First, get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Some people may need help getting vaccinated – please help your neighbors and loved ones schedule or travel to their appointments. Second, wear a mask. Practice social distance and your hands. Wash it off. ” And finally, now is not the time to travel. “
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