Code 19: Scientists concerned over new species emerging from South Africa, travel bans from Britain and Germany
With the emergence of another new strain of the corona virus, fears are growing again that all efforts against Code 19 may be insufficient, and if scientists' fears about this new strain are correct, a worldwide outbreak of the corona virus may occur. A new wave may come.
The key to the discovery of this new strain of corona is that there are significant changes in the genetic makeup of this virus. That's why one scientist called this new type of corona virus horrible, while one scientist said that it is more dangerous than all the viruses that have come to light so far.
This raises the question of how fast this new strain of the virus can spread and how much resistance it has to the corona vaccine. The most important question is what is this new type of corona?
Despite all the concerns about this new species, scientists still do not have the answers to all these questions.
How far has the new virus spread?
So far, there have been dozens of confirmed cases of this new strain (B.1.1.529). Most of them were in the South African province of Gٹنگttingen, but there are also some victims abroad, including Europe, South Africa's neighbors and Israel.
Four victims have been identified in the African country of Botswana, while a case has also been discovered in Hong Kong, where the patient is said to have been traveling from South Africa.
That is why it is feared that the species may have spread beyond estimates and may be present in most of South Africa's provinces.
Corona virus, new strain, South Africa
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Travel bans on African countries
Following the introduction of this new type, the United Kingdom has imposed new travel bans on six African countries. These include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Iswatini.
Jenny Harris of the UK's Health Security Agency says the new strain of the virus looks more dangerous than any other.
According to him, there is an urgent need to find out through new emergency research how fast the virus can spread and how deadly it can be. "We also need to know how effective Corona's defense against the vaccine is."
Health Minister Sajid Javed says scientists are deeply concerned about the new strain of the virus. "It could spread more rapidly and our existing vaccines may be less effective against it."
Germany, Italy, Israel and Singapore have also imposed travel bans on citizens of South African countries and put them on the red list. The German health minister has described South Africa as an area where a new strain of the virus could spread, and said travelers would not be allowed to enter the country.
According to the President of the European Commission, the European Union has proposed travel bans on South African countries in order to protect European states from the new strain of the virus. Australia is investigating whether it is necessary to impose travel bans on African countries at this time.
Meanwhile, India has also issued an alert to all states to make screening of passengers coming from South Africa mandatory.
On the other hand, World Health Organization experts will meet with South African officials on Friday to assess the situation in the country.
Local Israeli media say the first case of the new virus has been diagnosed. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, the man was returning from the South African country of Malawi.
The important question is that in South Africa, where this new strain has emerged, only 24% of the population has been vaccinated so far, but in Europe, where the number of vaccinators is high. , How much can affect.
It should be noted that this new type has emerged at a time when new sanctions are being considered again in view of the threat of the fourth wave of Corona in Europe.
What's new in Corona?
So far, different types of corona virus have been identified, which the World Health Organization has named as Alpha and Delta. It is expected that this new type of Corona will also be given a name but at the moment it has been given a number which is B.One.One Five Five Nine.
According to Professor Tulio de Oliveira, this new type of corona has surprised them because it has "changed beyond our expectations."
He said in a press briefing that a total of 50 genetic mutations have been observed in the new strain, while the specific spike protein, which the vaccine targets, contains 30 genetic mutations.
"After examining this type of virus, we found that the part of it that first affects the human body also has 10 genetic changes on its surface."
According to scientists, genetic modification of the virus does not always have to be dangerous. But it is important to know how the virus changes after this change.
The real concern is that the new strain of the virus is far different from the first virus that caused the first corona in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Because the corona vaccine was first developed after testing for the virus, the new strain is expected to have less of an effect.
Not only are all the mutations in this new virus absolutely astonishing, but there are also many changes in the structure that have been found in the previous types of viruses that are helping to find out.
One such mutation is that it makes it harder for immune cells in the body to detect the virus, which makes the corona vaccine less effective.
Earlier, there were some types of viruses that could be considered dangerous due to genetic mutations, but this did not happen.
Corona's son type was said earlier in the year to be lethal because it had the ability to evade the body's immune system, but this did not happen.
In comparison, the Delta species proved to be more lethal, with the potential to spread faster