- Michelle Roberts
- Health editor, BBC News online
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18 minutes ago
Image source, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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Scientists have identified a new variant of the coronavirus in the UK with several potentially disturbing mutations.
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The variant, known as B.1.525, looked similar to that found in South Africa – thus prompting door-to-door testing in areas where the virus was found.
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This variant has also been seen in other countries, including Denmark, Nigeria, and the United States.
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Scientists in the UK are currently studying the variant to understand the potential risks posed.
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However, it is too early to include the mutation on Britain’s list of “variants of concern” and whether mass testing should be carried out.
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So for now, the status is “variant under investigation”.
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Prof Ravi Gupta, from the University of Cambridge, is one of the scientists advising the government on the threat of new and emerging viruses.
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According to him, B.1.525 appears to have “significant mutations” already seen in several other new variants.
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“[Fakta] it’s less reassuring because we can predict the likely effect. “
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Prof Yvonne Doyle of Public Health England (PHE) said: “PHE is monitoring data on this emerging variant very closely and we are carrying out the necessary public health interventions such as extra testing and increased contact tracing.
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“There is currently no evidence that this sequence of mutations causes more severe disease or increased transmission.”
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‘Keep watching’
One of the changes that B.1.525 produces is a mutation called E484K – also found in Brazilian and South African variants – that can help the virus evade some immune defense systems.
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Another change is that it is similar to the UK’s ‘Kent’ variant which experts say is more contagious than the original version of the coronavirus that started the pandemic.
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The concern is that the virus could mutate so that it is easier to spread and escape the vaccine to fight Covid-19.
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The vaccine currently in circulation is designed against the initial version of the corona virus in Wuhan, China. Scientists are optimistic that they can fight against the emerging variants, although they may not be very good.
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Scientists are now working on a new vaccine that is more suitable for this new variant, so that it could be available if needed before the next winter.
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Prof Andrew Hayward, an epidemiologist at University College London, said: “Fortunately,[thisnewvariant[doesnotappeartobespreadinganyfasterthanotherstrainsandisstillatveryverylowlevels”[varianbaru[initampaknyatidakmenyebarlebihcepatdarijenislaindanmasihpadatingkatyangsangatsangatrendah
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“With all these variants, we really need to watch it closely because we don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
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