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South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk?
(about 2 months later)
Coronavirus has been changing in ways that might help it escape some of the body's immune system defences. The "largest surge testing operation to date" is beginning in south London to hunt for any new cases of Covid caused by the South African variant.
Scientists are working to update the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, as research suggests it - and other coronavirus vaccines - may be less effective against the South Africa variant. Some 44 cases have already been confirmed in Wandsworth and Lambeth, along with 30 probable ones.
The ones being used now should still protect against severe illness, however. Experts say that this variant of concern - along with a few others - may be able to get round some of the protection offered by vaccines or previous Covid infection, although existing jabs should still work to stop severe illness.
What is the South Africa new variant? A real-world data study in Israel - not yet peer-reviewed - found some people who had been fully vaccinated against Covid still caught the South Africa variant.
What is the South Africa 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.
South Africa variant found in Hampshire villageSouth Africa variant found in Hampshire village
How worrying are the Covid variants?How worrying are the Covid variants?
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. The South African variant, also known as 501.V2 or B.1.351, has some significant changes that experts are studying.
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.
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.
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.Another mutation, called E484K, could help the virus dodge a person's immune system and may affect how well coronavirus vaccines work.
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.
But there are concerns it can spread more readily and vaccines may not work quite as well against it.
Do vaccines work against the South Africa variant?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. Current vaccines are designed around original Covid, but should still offer some protection against new variants.
It is too soon to know exactly how much protection they give, 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 and E484k mutations in the lab, using blood samples from vaccinated people. Trials of Novavax, Janssen and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines in South Africa, where B.1.351 is circulating, suggest the variant can escape some immunity and may not stop infections.
In that study, vaccination appeared to work, but was slightly less effective. But experts say vaccines should still offer protection against severe and life-threatening Covid-19 illness.
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. Results from Moderna suggest its shot 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.
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.
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.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
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, 188 cases of the variant have been found, with extra testing in the areas of England affected. In the UK, 533 cases of the variant have been found and there is extra testing happening in affected areas to stop the spread.
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 the country.
Public health authorities and scientists are studying the variant and will share their findings soon. Scientists are also working to update existing vaccines to make them a better match for variants, such as the South Africa one.
Prof James Naismith, Director of the Rosaline Franklin Institute, said: "If the South Africa variant has really taken off, and we will probably know in about two to three weeks, then we may need to pause reopening a little bit."