World Health Organization Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan spoke to NDTV on Monday
New Delhi:
The chief scientist of the World Health Organization, Dr. Somiya Swaminathan said on Monday night that a mutated strain of the novel coronavirus – first identified in the UK in September and rapidly evolving into other strains of the virus – may already be present in several countries. .
However, he added that it was too early to draw conclusions about the new pressure – preliminary figures show that it is 70 percent more transmissible – and that it could “potentially affect the immune system’s response to a pair of changes.” Of existing covid vaccines.
“The UK is one of the countries where a lot of genomes are working sequentially and so is able to track it very closely in real time. I doubt that as other countries look at their statistics, maybe they This change may be found, or a related variant may already exist, “Dr. Swaminathan told NDTV.
On Sunday, the UK. Italy has reported a person infected with a new strainHas about 17 potentially significant changes in the viral genetic code. Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands have also reported cases of aggressive pressure in South Africa.
“The changes in the past (other viruses) become effective forms that are moving forward,” he said. It may be another form of this, “he said.” It is unlikely that some changes in the spike protein will change. Immune system response to injections. “
Dr Swaminathan said experiments were being carried out to understand the new pressure in the UK, which was labeled B1.1.7, but said: “It will take a few weeks for the results to come.”
“At the moment, we encourage countries to do more. India has a huge potential to sequence the entire genome (a key to developing an effective vaccine). In fact, India is already contributing a lot to a global database which is close to “300,000 orders,” he said.
Dr. Swaminathan also stressed that the measures to prevent the virus were the same.
Dr Swaminathan said, “It is very important that all countries take measures to control the virus and reduce transmission. We know what these measures are – testing, contact tracing and isolating positive cases.”
The Mutable forms of coronavirus Found in the south-east of England in September, it has hit London and other parts of the UK hard, with almost 18 million people affected by the ban, an increase in infection rates and drastic levels.
This morning, India, along with about 30 other countries, met the A.I. Temporary ban on flights from the UK. The ban will take effect on Wednesday and will be preceded by a check on the arrival of all passengers from the UK. Maharashtra has also worked, Night curfew until January 5. Planting.
News of the change has also raised concerns that the first of the Covid vaccines could prove very ineffective. However, medical experts, including Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergency Program, say There is no evidence at this stage, Its.
On Monday, the head of the European Union’s drug regulator said Pfizer vaccineWhich has been brought to the public in the UK and is one of three being considered for emergency use in India, Will withstand new pressures
With input from AFP
