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South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? | South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? |
(about 2 months later) | |
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. | |
Some 44 cases have already been confirmed in Wandsworth and Lambeth, along with 30 probable ones. | |
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. | |
A real-world data study in Israel - not yet peer-reviewed - found some people who had been fully vaccinated against Covid still caught the South Africa variant.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 village | South 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. |
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? |
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? |
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? |
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. | |
But experts say vaccines should still offer protection against severe and life-threatening Covid-19 illness. | |
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. | |
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. |
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, 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 the country. | |
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." |