The new study confirms the British government’s fears that this coronavirus variant may be contagious.
The new study confirms the British government’s fears about the possibility of this type of infection. Coronavirus.
a New version of coronovirus detected in United Kingdom, Said to be much more contagious than its background, called B.1.1.7, confirms a new study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine released on Thursday (24).
“Based on preliminary data available,” the study concludes that the Saras-Cove-2 variant, which in recent weeks is suspected to be the cause of a rapid increase of cases in southeastern England, “may be up to 50%” of circulation. “So far 74% more permeable than the forms of the virus”, summarizes one of Nick Davis, a biologist at the London School.
This estimate, which has not yet been published in a scientific journal or analyzed by independent experts, is consistent with “50% to 70%”, a group of researchers advising the UK government on the virus Is presented at a news conference by. Emerging respiratory diseases, NERVTAG.
Twenty-two mutations in the genome
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, had already mentioned over 70% contagion last weekend, and British authorities had estimated a transmission to the World Health Organization (WHO) that had increased by 40% in London. According to preliminary data obtained by virus genome sequencing collected in and in the southeast of the country, 70%.
First discovered in Great Britain in September, the variant, also known as VOC 202012/01, has 22 mutations in its genome. In particular, called N501Y is located on the spike protein of the coronovirus, a critical point on its surface that allows it to attach itself to enter human cells, thus playing an important role in viral infection is.
A quarter of new infections found in the UK in November were associated with this variant, a number that exceeded 60% in early December. “If the current trend continues, The new version may represent 90% of cases by mid-January“According to Nick Davis.
LSHTM researchers do not yet have evidence that individuals who contract the new variant are at greater risk of hospitalization or death, the hypothesis is yet to be studied.
The potential “rapid increase” in the number of cases caused by this mutation could have significant consequences for the epidemic, experts believe.
“The recent increase in the number of infections in various regions” may continue and spread in all parts of the United Kingdom if no immediate action takes place, “they warn.
This week, various scientists asked the British government to decree Lockdown To prevent the epidemic from spreading.
(With information from AFP)
