COVID-19: what do we know about the new mutant disease pandemic in the UK? – BBC News Thailand

The coronavirus causes the COVID-19 disease. What new mutants and can The “rapid spread” prompted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to adopt a blockade measure in London. And the southeastern part of the country also made it possible to improve control of the Christmas epidemic in other parts of England, Scotland and Wales, as well as causing countries to urgently close border bans on travel from the UK.

Government data showed that 28% of people infected with COVID-19 in London in mid-November were a new mutant. But now he found that the proportion has risen to more than 60%.

What Causes COVID-19? The new species became widespread in many parts of the UK within a few months.

The British government advisory panel noted confidence in “Moderate” that the new mutant is more infectious than other strains of COVID-19.

While the study of this new virus is in the early stages. Therefore, make the current situation full of uncertainty. And there are many unanswered questions

There are three factors that require close monitoring for this virus.

The factors combined above indicate that the COVID-19 disease This new species can spread more easily.

However, we cannot conclude this for sure. Because this new virus may become more common just because “Stay in the right place at the right time”

Professor Nick Loman from the UK COVID-19 Genome Study Unit noted that control of the London epidemic has been raised to level 4 (level 4), which is the highest level. As a measure to reduce the spread of new mutants

“Laboratory tests are essential. But you want to wait several weeks or even months. (Wait and see results and take action to control the outbreak?) Probably not in this situation, ”said Professor Loman.

Coronavirus has been detected. New mutant last month In September, in November it was discovered that about a quarter of London infections were new mutants. But that proportion rose to nearly two-thirds of the infections found in mid-December.

The graph below shows that the test results for COVID-19 According to various test centers, such as the Mutekens beacon, most of the new mutant (orange) was found.

Mathematicians have calculated the transmission of COVID-19. Different strains to know how fast British mutants spread

But how do they point to the rapid emergence of an epidemic caused by human behavior? Or the virus is very difficult

Because the number that Prime Minister Johnson stated is The new mutant could be transmitted up to 70% more easily and could increase the R number by 0.4, which is an indication of an increase or decrease in outbreaks. down

The 70% figure the British leader spoke of. It appears in data presented by Dr Erik Volz of Imperial College London on December 18.

Dr. Volz said at one point: “It is too early to say now … but what we are seeing is that the number of people infected with the new mutated virus is increasing rapidly. It is growing faster than the original lineage. AND it is important to be aware of this trend. “

However, Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham, said: “The evidence published by public sources is still insufficient to determine conclusively whether a new mutant virus is more likely to spread.” no”

It is believed that COVID-19 the new mutant may be emerging in patients in the UK. Or it could have been imported from a country with less surveillance capabilities for the coronavirus mutation.

New mutants are now being found across the UK. Except Northern Ireland But especially in London, people were found with this type of infection. South East and East of England

Data from the Nextstrain website that looks at the genetic code of viral samples from around the world indicates people infected with COVID-19. New mutants in Denmark and Australia It has its origin in the United Kingdom. The Netherlands also reported the discovery of this type of infection.

Furthermore, similar mutants were found in South Africa. Which has a similar mutation pattern but there seems to be no connection to the mutant in the UK.

Had passed

The new strains of coronavirus detected for the first time in Wuhan. It is not the same type of infection that is spreading in different areas of the world.

Pathogens Causing COVID-19 The D614G mutant appeared in Europe last month. Ago Feb. And it became the main infection that spread throughout the world.

The COVID-19 disease. Another mutant, A222V, has spread across Europe. And linked to infected people on vacation in Spain

Preliminary analysis of this virus that was published earlier. Indicates 17 key changes

Changing the “spike protein” of the virus. The key is that bacteria can facilitate the opening of the door to the cells of the human body.

A type of mutation called N501Y has a very significant change in the so-called spinous. This is the first part of the virus column that touches the cell surface of the human body.

Therefore, any change or development that makes it easier for the virus to enter the human body will make the infection more capable of attacking human cells.

Professor Loman This appears to be a significant adaptation of the mutated coronavirus.

And another type of mutation called the H69 / V70 Suppression Element (deletion), where small parts of the spines are removed. It is something that has already happened. This includes the famous mutants found in the mink lately.

Results of the study by Professor Ravi Gupta of the University of Cambridge. Information was found indicating that this type of mutation doubled the infectious capacity in laboratory experiments.

Studies by the same researchers also indicate that dissociative mutations make antibodies in an infected person’s blood less effective at attacking and fighting the virus.

Professor Gupta said: “It is increasing rapidly. That is what worries the government. We are worried Most scientists are worried “

COVID-19 pathogen This new species has an exceptionally high mutation.

The most likely explanation is that it occurs in people who have weakened immune systems and cannot fight the virus. Thus, the patient’s body becomes a breeding ground for the mutated virus.

There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is present. This new mutant is more deadly. What is a matter that needs to be looked at further

However, the ease with which the infection spreads is enough to cause problems for hospitals. Because if a new type of infection causes a person to increase rapidly, it will cause more people to have to be hospitalized.

Absolutely usable OR at least it still works now

The 3 main vaccines currently available will stimulate the human body to be immune to the thorn virus today.

The vaccine trains the immune system to attack different parts of the virus, so even the prickly parts of the spines will change or mutate. But the vaccine will still work.

“But if we allow more mutations, you should start to worry,” said Professor Gupta.

“It is likely that this virus produces a mutation that makes the vaccine unable to prevent infection (vaccine leakage), and it has started to move towards this trend.”

Vaccine leakage occurs when a virus is developed or modified to prevent the full efficacy of the vaccine. And infect people

The mutant is the latest evidence to show that the coronavirus is causing COVID-19. It continues to develop and adapt to make us more infectious

Information presented by Professor David Robertson of the University of Glasgow on December 18 concluded that “This virus can mutate to evade vaccines.”

This will expose us to the same situation as the flu. That you must continually improve the vaccine against this disease. But fortunately the vaccines we have today can be easily improved.