Highly contagious ‘mutant strain’ of coronavirus has been sweeping Europe, scientists say
A HIGHLY contagious "mutant strain" of coronavirus has been sweeping Europe, scientists say.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US found 14 mutations in the Covid-19 virus spike proteins, one of which - known as Spike D614G - they said was of "urgent concern".
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And the experts claim that the mutation, which started spreading in early February, has now become the world-dominating strain and is different to those which spread early on in the pandemic.
They posted their 33-page report on the mutation to on Thursday - which caused concern among other scientists.
The report was based on analysis of more than 6,000 genetic sequences of coronavirus samples taken from patients globally.
In the research, the scientists warned that vaccines, which are currently being created to fight Covid-19, may not work against this strain.
They also noted that the new mutation needs to be considered in future work on treatments and vaccines.
Deadly mutation
The study does not indicate that the new mutation is more lethal than others - which have killed more than 29,000 Brits.
However, if the mutation makes the virus very different to earlier strains it could leave "individuals susceptible to a second infection".
Dr Bette Korber, the study's lead author, said: "The story is worrying, as we see a mutated form of the virus very rapidly emerging, and over the month of March becoming the dominant pandemic form.
"When viruses with this mutation enter a population, they rapidly begin to take over the local epidemic, thus they are more transmissible."
Despite this, scientists have today claimed there is no evidence the coronavirus has mutated into more aggressive strains.
University of Glasgow experts say the claims are "unfounded" and no version of the virus currently circulating is any more or less potent than another.
The researchers admit they uncovered thousands of mutations but lead researcher Dr Oscar MacLean said: "It is important people are not concerned about virus mutations - these are normal and expected as a virus passes through a population."
The UK currently has at least 195,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Just yesterday, scientists discovered a new coronavirus mutation that suggest the bug might be weakening.
It is important people are not concerned about virus mutations
Dr Oscar MacLean
It's similar to a change found in the Sars virus in 2003, that marked a changing tide in that outbreak, the experts said.
The new mutation could mean the virus is less likely to get past the body's immune system, the team at Arizona State University said.
They took 382 samples from coronavirus patients in the state and found that one viral sample was missing a large section of the bug's genetic material.
It is similar to what happened with the original Sars virus, which triggered an epidemic in 2003.
It makes the infection weaker, the experts said - adding, that it signalled the start of the Sars outbreak winding down.
More on coronavirus
While only one patient in Arizona has been found to have this new mutation of Sars-CoV-2, the researchers say if genome sequencing for the virus becomes more common, more cases may emerge.
The study's author said the "pretty meaningful development" could push scientists in the right direction when it comes to the development of a vaccine.
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