South Africa detects a new variant of the coronavirus, still studying its mutations

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 30 (Reuters) – South African scientists have detected a new variant of coronavirus with multiple mutations, but have not yet established whether it is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines or previous infection .

The new variant, known as C.1.2, was first detected in May and has now spread to most South African provinces and seven other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania, according to research which has not yet been peer-reviewed.

It contains many mutations associated in other variants with increased transmissibility and reduced sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies, but they occur in a different mixture and scientists are still unsure of how they affect the behavior of the virus. Laboratory tests are underway to establish the extent to which the variant is neutralized by antibodies.

South Africa was the first country to detect the beta variant, one of only four labeled as “worrying” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The beta is believed to spread more easily than the original version of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and there is evidence that vaccines work less well, causing some countries to restrict travel to and from the South. africa.

“FAR FROM MORE” PANDEMIC

Richard Lessells, an infectious disease specialist and one of the authors of the C.1.2 research, said its appearance tells us that “this pandemic is far from over and that this virus is still exploring ways to potentially improve our infection. “.

He said people should not be too alarmed at this stage and that variants with more mutations should emerge even more in the pandemic.

South African genomic sequencing data show that variant C.1.2 had not yet nearly displaced the dominant Delta variant in July, the last month for which a large number of samples were available.

In July, C.1.2 accounted for 3% of samples compared to 1% in June, while Delta accounted for 67% in June and 89% in July.

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Lessells said C.1.2 may have more immune evasion properties than Delta, based on its mutation pattern, and that the findings had been marked by the WHO.

A spokesman for the South African health department declined to comment on the investigation.

South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign began slowly, with only about 14% of its adult population fully vaccinated to date.

Alexander Report Winning edition by Tim Cocks and Gareth Jones

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