American scientists have found a means to block the transmission of coronavirus. The results of the corresponding study were published on Thursday, December 3, on the portal Nature.com in the section “Microbiology”.
Georgia State University has monitored how the antiviral drug 4482 / EIDD-2801 (molnupiravir) acts on the new type of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This substance is effective against influenza virus and against RNA viruses.
A laboratory study on animals showed that the agent is most effective at an early stage of the disease: it did not allow the development of a severe form of COVID-19. Animals (ferrets and their closest relatives) were given the drug twice a day. This made it possible to significantly reduce the content of the virus in the upper respiratory tract and block the transmission of coronavirus on the first day of infection. The virus was not transmitted from infected even to those animals that were not given any drugs.
Now scientists have to conduct clinical studies. If the effectiveness of the drug is confirmed, then it will be possible to stop the transmission of coronavirus from person to person on the first day after the start of treatment.
Scientists note: it will be possible to take control of the spread of the virus when it will be possible to interrupt the chains of its transmission. Antiviral drugs like remdesivira or convalescent serum, they say, poorly suited for these purposes… Earlier, November 20, World Health Organization (WHO) issued instructions, which did not recommend the use of remdisivir in the treatment of COVID-19, regardless of the severity of the disease.
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