Photographer: Vladimir Gerdo / TASS / Getty Images
Photographer: Vladimir Gerdo / TASS / Getty Images
The most mutated variant of the coronavirus has already been found in travelers from Tanzania, prompting scientists to call for more monitoring in a country that ignored the pandemic.
ONE A report presented to the World Health Organization and regional bodies shows that the strain has 10 more mutations than any other version, according to Túlio de Oliveira, director of Krisp, a scientific institute that carries out genetic tests for 10 African nations. Krisp, which last year discovered a new strain in South Africa that spurred the resurgence of infections in the country, found the new variant in travelers arriving in Angola from Tanzania.
“It is potentially interesting,” Oliveira said in an interview on Friday.
Variants of the coronavirus have caused concern worldwide, as, for example, the one first identified in South Africa, known as 501Y.V2, proved to be more infectious and able to escape more easily from some vaccines. Still, no work has yet been done on the version found on three Tanzanian travelers to determine whether it is more infectious or severe than other strains.
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The newly discovered version will be grown in Krisp’s laboratories and an attempt will be made to see how easily it avoids antibodies, said Oliveira. The variant comes from a strain of the virus first identified in China, while many others have its roots in Europe.
Under the late President John Magufuli, Tanzania has stopped releasing data on coronavirus infections and has opened up the economy, including the tourist island of Zanzibar, which attracts international tourists. Magufuli’s stance drew criticism from neighbors and the WHO, as anecdotal evidence suggested that many people in the country contracted the disease.
His successor, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has not yet indicated whether he will change his policies.
“This could be a big alert for Tanzania,” said Oliveira.
– With the help of Janice Kew