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South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? | South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Coronavirus has been changing in ways that might help it escape some of the body's immune system defences. | |
Scientists are working to update the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, as early research suggests it is less effective against the South Africa variant. | |
The existing one being used now should still protect against severe illness, however. | |
What is the South Africa new variant? | What is the South Africa new variant? |
All viruses, including the one that causes Covid-19, constantly mutate into new versions or variants. | All viruses, including the one that causes Covid-19, constantly mutate into new versions or variants. |
These tiny genetic changes happen as the virus makes new copies of itself to spread and thrive. | These tiny genetic changes happen as the virus makes new copies of itself to spread and thrive. |
Most are inconsequential, and a few can even be harmful to the virus's survival, but some variants can make the virus more infectious or threatening to the host - humans. | Most are inconsequential, and a few can even be harmful to the virus's survival, but some variants can make the virus more infectious or threatening to the host - humans. |
There are now many thousands of variants of the pandemic virus circulating. But experts are concerned about the South African variant, also known as 501.V2 or B.1.351. | There are now many thousands of variants of the pandemic virus circulating. But experts are concerned about the South African variant, also known as 501.V2 or B.1.351. |
Is it more dangerous? | Is it more dangerous? |
There is no evidence that the South Africa variant causes more serious illness for the vast majority of people who become infected. | There is no evidence that the South Africa variant causes more serious illness for the vast majority of people who become infected. |
As with the original version, the risk is highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions. | As with the original version, the risk is highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions. |
But there are concerns it can spread more readily and vaccines may not work quite as well against it. | But there are concerns it can spread more readily and vaccines may not work quite as well against it. |
Some of the changes involve the virus's spike protein - the part that gains the virus entry into human cells. It is also the bit that vaccines are designed around, which is why experts are concerned about these particular mutations. | Some of the changes involve the virus's spike protein - the part that gains the virus entry into human cells. It is also the bit that vaccines are designed around, which is why experts are concerned about these particular mutations. |
The South African variant carries a mutation, called N501Y, that appears to make it more contagious or easy to spread. | The South African variant carries a mutation, called N501Y, that appears to make it more contagious or easy to spread. |
Another mutation, called E484K, could help the virus dodge a person's immune system and may affect how well coronavirus vaccines work. | |
Do vaccines work against the South Africa variant? | |
It is too soon to say for sure, or by how much, until more tests are completed, although it is extremely unlikely the mutations would render vaccines useless. | It is too soon to say for sure, or by how much, until more tests are completed, although it is extremely unlikely the mutations would render vaccines useless. |
What are the new UK travel rules? | What are the new UK travel rules? |
When will I get a Covid vaccine? | When will I get a Covid vaccine? |
How do I know the Covid vaccine is safe? | How do I know the Covid vaccine is safe? |
Scientists have tested the Pfizer Covid vaccine against N501Y, using blood samples from 20 people. | Scientists have tested the Pfizer Covid vaccine against N501Y, using blood samples from 20 people. |
In that preliminary study, vaccination appeared to work against the mutated virus. | In that preliminary study, vaccination appeared to work against the mutated virus. |
Early results from Moderna suggest its vaccine is still effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response may not be as strong or prolonged. | Early results from Moderna suggest its vaccine is still effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response may not be as strong or prolonged. |
Two new coronavirus vaccines that could be approved soon - one from Novavax and another from Janssen - appear to offer some protection against the variant. | Two new coronavirus vaccines that could be approved soon - one from Novavax and another from Janssen - appear to offer some protection against the variant. |
Preliminary work suggests the Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine offers "limited" protection against mild disease from the South Africa variant, but experts say it should still protect against severe disease. | |
But even in the worst case scenario, vaccines can be redesigned and tweaked to provide a better match in a matter or weeks or months, if necessary. | |
Scientists seek to understand new variant | Scientists seek to understand new variant |
How far has it spread? | How far has it spread? |
It is already the dominant virus variant in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. | It is already the dominant virus variant in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. |
At least 20 other countries including Austria, Norway and Japan, have also found cases. | At least 20 other countries including Austria, Norway and Japan, have also found cases. |
In the UK, 147 cases of the variant have been found, with extra testing in the areas of England affected. | |
What is the UK doing about it? | What is the UK doing about it? |
Travel is now banned from many countries in southern Africa, as well as Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo. | Travel is now banned from many countries in southern Africa, as well as Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo. |
Targeted testing in the community is also taking place in some parts of England. | Targeted testing in the community is also taking place in some parts of England. |
Public health authorities and scientists are studying the variant and will share their findings soon. | Public health authorities and scientists are studying the variant and will share their findings soon. |