BBC announces in an article today qu’a new “double mutation” variant of the coronavirus has been detected from samples collected in India.
Those responsible are checking whether the variant, where two mutations meet in the same virus, may be more infectious or less sensitive to vaccines.
Some 10,787 samples from 18 Indian states also revealed 771 cases of known variants – 736 from the UK, 34 from South Africa and one from Brazil. Officials say the variants are not linked to a spike in cases in India.
India reported 47,262 cases and 275 deaths on Wednesday – the biggest daily increase this year.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG), which brings together 10 national laboratories under the Indian Ministry of Health, carried out genomic sequencing on the last samples. Genomic sequencing is a testing process to map the entire genetic code of an organism – in this case, the virus.
Mutations in viruses are common but most of them are insignificant and do not cause any change in its ability to transmit or cause serious infection. But some mutations, like those in variant lines from the UK or South Africa, can make the virus more infectious and, in some cases, even more deadly.
Virologist Shahid Jameel explained that a “Double mutations in key areas of the virus spike protein may increase these risks and allow the virus to escape the immune system.”
The spike protein is the part of the virus that it uses to enter human cells.
The government said an analysis of samples taken from the western state of Maharashtra in India showed “ an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations Compared to December of last year.
“These [doubles] mutations confer an immune problem and increased infectivity ”, a declared on Ministry of Health in a press release .
Dr Jameel added that “ a separate line may develop in India with mutations L452R and E484Q joining ».
The Indian government denies that the increase in cases is linked to the transfers.
« Although VOCs [variantes préoccupantes] and a new double mutant variant were discovered in India, they were not detected in sufficient numbers to establish a direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some states “Said the Ministry of Health. .
The recent report comes after several experts called on the government to step up genome sequencing efforts.
“We must constantly monitor and ensure that none of the worrisome variants spread through the population. Just because it doesn’t happen now doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future. And we have to make sure we get the evidence early enough, ”said Dr Jameel to Soutik Biswas from the BBC at Beginning of the month.
India has become the fifth country in the world to sequence the genome of the novel coronavirus after isolating it from some of the first cases recorded in January of last year.
Over 11.7 million cases and 160,000 deaths later, efforts continue to identify the mutations.
The latest wave – which began this month – comes during what some experts have called a “sticky phase” for India – the healthcare system is already exhausted from a year-long battle with the coronavirus.
States have already started reintroducing restrictions, including curfews and intermittent lockouts.
Two major cities, Delhi and Mumbai, have also ordered random rapid tests at airports, train stations and crowded areas such as shopping malls.
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