A newly identified variant of the coronavirus that appears to carry potentially problematic mutations has been discovered in the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark and Nigeria.
The variant, B.1.525, has so far been detected through genome sequencing in 10 countries, according to a report from the University of Edinburgh published Monday. About 38 cases were found in the United Kingdom, in samples dating from December, which raises concern because it carries a series of mutations, including one that is also present in variants that have emerged in South Africa and Brazil.
The mutation, known as E484K, is believed to help the virus avoid neutralizing antibodies.
The researchers said it has similarities in its genome to the well-known British variant B.1.1.7, a highly contagious variant that was first discovered in September in southeastern England. At the time, UK scientists estimated that B.1.1.7 was 40 to 70 percent more infectious than the variants that spread earlier, based on an analysis of affected populations in Britain.
The finding led to risk analysis by some experts in the UK, who said the presence of the E484K mutation could mean that it has a degree of resistance to some vaccines.
“We still don’t know how well this [new] the variant will spread, but if it succeeds, it can be assumed that the immunity from any previous vaccine or infection will be attenuated, ”Simon Clarke, associate professor of cell microbiology at the University of Reading, told the Guardian.
Clarke suggested that the UK should focus on peak testing for any variant that carries the E484K mutation.
Ravi Gupta, a professor at the University of Cambridge and one of the scientists who advise the UK government on new and emerging virus threats, told the BBC that B.1.525 appeared to have “significant mutations” already seen in some of the other new variants.
“This is partly comforting because we can predict what its likely effect is,” added Gupta.
The discovery comes as the United States continues to launch the coronavirus vaccine. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 million people have received the Moderna vaccine or Pfizer, the only two currently authorized for distribution in the United States
Coronavirus mutations represent a potential risk even for vaccinated populations or even for those who have recovered from COVID-19.
“While we wait for other countries to be vaccinated, we are still somewhat exposed to the risk of increasing spread and new mutations,” previously explained Yahoo News medical collaborator Dr. Dara Kass.
“Considering that if the entire globe were vaccinated and the spread around the world had stopped, we would be much more sure that new strains would not appear with the same level of frequency as if an entire corner of the globe was not basically vaccinated,” Kass added .
But exterior variants are not the only concern. A recent Yahoo News report analyzed the threat of variants already spreading in the US
Researchers in a study published on Sunday reported finding seven new variants in states across the country. All variants originated in the United States, according to the research, and all independently acquired a particular mutation that could make them more contagious.
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