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Scientists have identified another new coronavirus variant in the UK that has potentially worrisome mutations.
B.1.525, the new variant, contains a genetic change called E484K that is also found in the Brazilian and South African variants.
Public Health England (PHE) has said there is no evidence that mutations in the new variant make the virus more transmittable or cause serious illness.
Laboratory studies have shown that viruses with the E484K mutation can escape human defenses, making them more efficient at evading natural and vaccine-activated immunity.
PHE said 38 cases related to B.1.525 have been identified so far in the UK, after samples dating back to December were studied.
It is unclear where the cases were found in the UK.
Experts said the variant has alterations in its genetic material that make it similar to the Kent variant, which is the dominant virus in the UK.
B.1.525 has also been observed in other countries, including Australia, Denmark, Nigeria, and the United States.
Professor Yvonne Doyle, PHE Medical Director, said: “PHE is monitoring data on emerging variants very closely and where necessary public health interventions are being carried out, such as additional testing and improved contact tracing.
“There is currently no evidence that this set of mutations causes more severe disease or increased transmissibility.
“The best way to stop the spread of the virus is to follow public health advice: wash your hands, cover your face, and stay away from others.
“During the confinement, it is important that people stay home whenever possible.”
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cell microbiology at the University of Reading, told The Guardian that the presence of the E484K mutation in the South African variant was known to confer a degree of resistance to some vaccines.
He said: “We don’t yet know how well this (new) variant will spread, but if it is successful, it can be assumed that the immunity from any previous vaccines or infection will weaken.”
Dr Clarke said that B.1.525 should be included in efforts to push forward testing for variants of interest.
He said: “I think that until we know more about these variants, any variant that carries E484K should be subject to surge testing, as it appears to confer resistance to immunity regardless of how it is generated.”
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Other newer variants of concern in the UK include the South African variant, with 202 cases, and the Bristol variant, with 22 cases.
A variant first identified in Liverpool, which has been designated by the PHE as an investigational variant (VUI), currently has 56 cases.
Scientists are already working on new vaccines to attack variants of the coronavirus, some of which may become available during the fall.
