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It is not uncommon for a virus to mutate, the new coronavirus is already believed to have mutated thousands of times. But in the vast majority of cases, these are small and insignificant changes that do not affect you significantly.
But the mutation that has been discovered in the UK appears to be different. Early research suggests that it spreads the virus faster than before. The European Agency for Communicable Disease Control (ECDC) writes in an analysis that it appears to be “significantly more contagious” and urges authorities to monitor its occurrence. To date, isolated cases have been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. But there are no reported cases in Sweden.
– You can see it spreads faster. The mutation was discovered in September and now appears to have spread significantly in England. There is talk of a 70 percent faster spread. But to get a better idea, we need more data. We have to wait and see. Now we really only know what individual researchers and politicians have said, says Ali Mirazimi, associate professor of clinical virology at the Karolinska Institutet.
What consequences can the new mutation have?
– The fact that the virus spreads faster does not mean anything for its other properties. It does not make people sick any more and it does not affect the picture of the disease. But if it spreads faster, more people get infected, more people get sick, and more people need care. From that point of view, it is important to follow up.
What are the chances that it already exists in Sweden?
– I don’t dare to say a number, but of course it may already exist in Sweden. It has spread a lot in England and we travel a lot to and from England. According to the samples they have analyzed, the Swedish Public Health Agency has not been able to find the virus in Sweden.
Is there a risk that the vaccine will not work against you?
– No sign of that. These are single mutations and the vaccine targets the entire protein in the nail, the yolk that is seen in the virus images. In all likelihood, it will not affect. But in the future, when we have vaccinated many, we must follow up. Then there is a risk that the virus will adapt and become resistant to the vaccine.
How great is the risk that the virus will mutate in a way that makes people sick?
– You can’t say it will never happen. But the instinct of the virus is to multiply and spread, it does better when we are not very sick. When we are, we go to bed. In general, evolution means that the virus does not “want” to cause further damage. You should never say never, but the probability is not high. The virus is likely to remain as it is.
Viruses often mutate. What is special about this mutation?
– Yes, mutations happen all the time. But they only occasionally occur in places where they can affect the properties of the virus. This mutation has probably occurred in such a location and has made the virus a bit more contagious compared to other mutations. Mutations are not needed in multiple places for this to happen, one may be enough.
How worried should you be?
– The common man should not worry. The virus will change all the time. However, authorities and investigators must keep an eye on him. They should have super checks.
