This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55659820
The article has changed 72 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
Next version
Version 47 | Version 48 |
---|---|
What are the India, Brazil, South Africa and UK variants? | What are the India, Brazil, South Africa and UK variants? |
(1 day later) | |
A mutated version of coronavirus, first identified in India and now circulating in the UK too, has been classified as "of concern" by public health experts. | |
The world is carefully monitoring this and some other new genetic types of the pandemic virus that may be able to spread more easily, make people sicker, or overpower vaccines. | |
Understanding new variants can help governments adjust vaccination programmes and keep the virus under control. | Understanding new variants can help governments adjust vaccination programmes and keep the virus under control. |
Why does Covid mutate? | Why does Covid mutate? |
All viruses change as they make copies of themselves to survive and spread. | All viruses change as they make copies of themselves to survive and spread. |
Most changes are inconsequential, and some can even harm the virus. But others can make the disease more infectious or threatening - and these mutations tend to dominate. | Most changes are inconsequential, and some can even harm the virus. But others can make the disease more infectious or threatening - and these mutations tend to dominate. |
If lots of its human hosts have gained immunity through infection or vaccination, a virus with mutations that can evade this protection will thrive. | If lots of its human hosts have gained immunity through infection or vaccination, a virus with mutations that can evade this protection will thrive. |
To work out whether a mutation is dangerous, scientists look for warning signs in the virus's genetic code, see how it behaves in a lab, and monitor its spread in people. | To work out whether a mutation is dangerous, scientists look for warning signs in the virus's genetic code, see how it behaves in a lab, and monitor its spread in people. |
What do we know about the different variants? | What do we know about the different variants? |
There are thousands of different variants of Covid circulating across the world. | There are thousands of different variants of Covid circulating across the world. |
Those with the most potentially concerning changes are called "variants of concern" and kept under the closest watch by health officials, and include: | Those with the most potentially concerning changes are called "variants of concern" and kept under the closest watch by health officials, and include: |
The UK or Kent variant (also known as B.1.1.7) is prevalent in Britain - with more than 200,000 cases identified - and has spread to more than 50 countries and appears to be mutating again | |
The South Africa variant (B.1.351) has been identified in at least 20 other countries, including the UK | The South Africa variant (B.1.351) has been identified in at least 20 other countries, including the UK |
The Brazil variant (P.1) has spread to more than 10 other countries, including the UK | The Brazil variant (P.1) has spread to more than 10 other countries, including the UK |
A particular India variant (B.1.617.2) of which more than 500 cases have been seen in the UK, with some but not all linked to travel | |
Are the new variants more dangerous? | 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 remains highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions. | As with the original version, the risk remains highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions. |
But a virus being more infectious and equally dangerous will in itself lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population. | But a virus being more infectious and equally dangerous will in itself lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population. |
Some research suggests the UK variant may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death in individuals, but the evidence is not conclusive. | Some research suggests the UK variant may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death in individuals, but the evidence is not conclusive. |
The advice to avoid infection remains the same for all strains: wash your hands, keep your distance, wear a face covering and be vigilant about ventilation. | The advice to avoid infection remains the same for all strains: wash your hands, keep your distance, wear a face covering and be vigilant about ventilation. |
How do the new variants mutate? | 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. | 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. | One mutation, called N501Y, shared by some of them, seems to make the virus better at infecting cells and spreading. |
Some experts think the UK/Kent strain may be up to 70% more infectious - although research by Public Health England suggested it's between 30% and 50%. | Some experts think the UK/Kent strain may be up to 70% more infectious - although research by Public Health England suggested it's between 30% and 50%. |
The South Africa and Brazil variants also have a key mutation, called E484K, that may help the virus evade antibodies, key parts of the immune system which help bodies fight off infection. | The South Africa and Brazil variants also have a key mutation, called E484K, that may help the virus evade antibodies, key parts of the immune system which help bodies fight off infection. |
Experts recently found a small number of cases of the UK variant that have this change too. | Experts recently found a small number of cases of the UK variant that have this change too. |
The India variant has some other potentially important mutations (such as L452R) that might make it more transmissible. | |
There is currently insufficient evidence to indicate that any of the variants recently detected in India - there a few, but only one is being deemed a "variant of concern" - cause more severe disease or might make current vaccines less effective. | |
Will vaccines still work against variants? | Will vaccines still work against variants? |
Current vaccines were designed for earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, albeit potentially less well. | Current vaccines were designed for earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, albeit potentially less well. |
One recent study suggests the Brazilian variant may resist antibodies in people who've already had Covid and should therefore have some immunity. | One recent study suggests the Brazilian variant may resist antibodies in people who've already had Covid and should therefore 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. | 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 Kent/UK variant. It offers less protection against the South Africa variant - but should still protect against severe illness. | Data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine team suggests it protects just as well against the Kent/UK variant. It offers less protection against the South Africa variant - but should still protect against severe illness. |
Some early results suggest the Moderna vaccine is effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response triggered may be weaker and shorter-lived. | Some early results suggest the Moderna vaccine is effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response triggered may be weaker and shorter-lived. |
Experts are confident existing vaccines can be redesigned to better tackle emerging mutations. | Experts are confident existing vaccines can be redesigned to better tackle emerging mutations. |
Do variants mean booster jabs are more likely? | Do variants mean booster jabs are more likely? |
The UK government has a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, and has pre-ordered 50 million doses. | The UK government has a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, and has pre-ordered 50 million doses. |
Depending on how variants continue to develop, these could potentially be used to offer a booster vaccine to older or clinically vulnerable people later in the year. | Depending on how variants continue to develop, these could potentially be used to offer a booster vaccine to older or clinically vulnerable people later in the year. |
Extra vaccines cash to future-proof UK - minister | Extra vaccines cash to future-proof UK - minister |