Coronavirus is testing the medical fraternity. Over the past few months, it has undergone several mutations that are increasing its inter-human transmission capacity. And now to add to this list is another variant of the virus discovered in Oregon. It has the backbone of the variant virus from the UK ( B.1.1.7) and also has the mutation of E484K or “Eek” that are seen in the variants from South Africa, Brazil, and New York City. So it is double trouble!!!
The Oregon variant of the coronavirus
Scientists from Oregon have discovered a variant of the coronavirus bug that has the high transmission capacity of the UK strain and also resistance to vaccine-induced immunity problem of the South African strain. It is double trouble and a formidable combination. There is a growing concern about this finding though it was isolated only from one patient until now.
Genetic analysis has revealed that this strain has been acquired from the community and not developed de novo in the patient.
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Scientists and their opinion on the Oregon strain
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| Oregon strain of coronavirus is doubly-potent [Source: Koin] |
Brian O’Roak, a geneticist at Oregon Health and Science University revealed:
“We didn’t import this from elsewhere in the world — it occurred spontaneously,”
The UK strain also has spread like wildfire in the USA. 2500 cases of it were detected from 46 states. This is overwhelming. And now this new virus. It is fast-spreading and also deadlier. It could worsen the fragile state of the USA as regards the virus.
More on the two-in-one mutation found in Oregon
This new virus has the backbone of the UK virus and also the mutation of the strain found in South Africa, Brazil, and New York. The Eek mutation has made the vaccines ineffective against them since they blunt the immune response. This is worrying and hence Pfizer and Moderna are trying new versions of the vaccine to counter this new strain.
Such a dual mutated virus strain was also discovered in the UK but this from Oregon is an independent one.
Stacia Wyman, an expert in computational genomics at the University of California, Berkeley stated:
“We’re at the point where B.1.1.7 is just being introduced in the USA”
“As it evolves, and as it slowly becomes the dominant thing, it could accumulate more mutations.”
But it is important to continue with the precautions. Stacia adds:
“People need to not freak out but to continue to be vigilant,"
“We can’t let down our guard yet while there’s still these more transmissible variants circulating.”
OMG!
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