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What are the Indian, Brazil, South Africa and UK variants? | |
(4 days later) | |
A new variant of coronavirus, first found in India, has been discovered in the UK. | |
Health officials say the genetic changes it has undergone might make it more contagious - and past infection or current vaccines may not offer full protection. More studies are needed to be sure. | |
What is the Indian variant? | |
There are many thousands of different versions, or variants, of Covid circulating. | There are many thousands of different versions, or variants, of Covid circulating. |
More than 100 cases of the Indian variant (also known as B.1.617) have been confirmed in the UK. | |
Public Health England says it appears a few of the cases are not linked to international travel. Investigations into how they were acquired are continuing. | |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cancelled a planned trip to India later this month and the country is being added to the government's travel ban red list. | |
However, there is not yet enough data to say the Indian variant is of a "variant of concern" - a term used to describe the UK, Brazilian and South African variants. | |
What about the UK, Brazilian and South African variants? | |
These strains of Covid-19 may be more contagious and dodge immunity to some extent. | |
The UK or Kent variant (also known as B.1.1.7) now dominant in much of Britain, has spread to more than 50 countries and appears to be mutating again | |
The South Africa variant (B.1.351) has found in at least 20 other countries, including the UK | |
The Brazil variant (also known as P.1) has now been found in the UK | |
It's not unexpected that new variants have developed. All viruses mutate as they make copies of themselves to spread and thrive. | |
Most of these differences are inconsequential. A few can even be harmful to the virus's survival. But some can make it more infectious or threatening. | Most of these differences are inconsequential. A few can even be harmful to the virus's survival. But some can make it more infectious or threatening. |
Coronavirus variants: The science explained | Coronavirus variants: The science explained |
Are the new variants more dangerous? | |
There is no evidence that any of them cause much more serious illness for the vast majority of people who become infected. | There is no evidence that any of them cause much 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. |
For the UK variant there is some research suggesting it may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death. The evidence is not conclusive, however. | For the UK variant there is some research suggesting it may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death. The evidence is not conclusive, however. |
To prevent infection, it's important to be extra vigilant about washing your hands, keeping your distance from other people and wearing a face covering. | |
How do the new variants mutate? | |
The UK, South Africa, Brazil and Indian variants have all undergone changes to their spike protein - the part of the virus which attaches to human cells. | |
One mutation, called N501Y, shared by some of them, seems to make the virus better at infecting cells and spreading. | |
Experts think the UK/Kent strain may be up to 70% more transmissible or infectious - although research by Public Health England puts it between 30% and 50%. | |
The South Africa and Brazil variants have more potentially important changes in the spike protein. | |
They have a key mutation, called E484K, that may help the virus evade parts of the immune system, called antibodies, that can fight coronavirus based on experience from prior infection or a vaccine. | |
Experts recently found a small number of cases of the UK variant that have this change too. | |
Where has the South Africa variant been found in the UK? | Where has the South Africa variant been found in the UK? |
South Africa coronavirus variant: What's the risk? | South Africa coronavirus variant: What's the risk? |
UK variant has mutated again, scientists say | UK variant has mutated again, scientists say |
We already know the Indian variant has some potentially important mutations (E484Q, L452R and P681R). | |
Will vaccines still work against variants? | |
Current vaccines were designed around earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, although perhaps not quite as well. | Current vaccines were designed around earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, although perhaps not quite as well. |
A recent study suggests the Brazilian variant may be resisting antibodies in people who've already had Covid and should have some immunity. | |
However, early lab results and real life data suggest the Pfizer vaccine can protect against the new variants, although slightly less effectively. | |
Data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine team suggests it protects just as well against the new UK variant. | |
It offers less protection against the South Africa variant - but should still protect against severe illness. | |
Early results suggest the Moderna vaccine is effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response may not be as strong or long-lasting. | |
Two new coronavirus vaccines awaiting approval - Novavax and Janssen - also appear to offer some variant protection. | |
Experts say with a new virus mutation, even in a worst case scenario, vaccines could be redesigned and tweaked in weeks or months to be better matches. | |
The UK Government has announced a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, with a 50 million dose pre-order. | |