Corona virus strains: a frantic search in the United Kingdom for travelers with Brazilian variants

The passenger allegedly used a test tool for the domestic corona virus and did not fill out the form associated with his personal data.

For this reason, British health officials are asking anyone who has not received the results of the test on February 12 or 13, or anyone with an incomplete test record card, to go to the health authorities.

All passengers on board the already identified patients are contacted by health officials.

The UK Department of Health (PHE) is expanding trials in southern Gloucestershire to see if there are other cases with similar variations in the region.

Dr Susan Hopkins, of the National Health Service, or NHS, the British public health service, said health officials were “closing the fence” to prevent the spread of new types. The risk of spreading until March 8 will greatly increase, Schools reopen in UK after more than two months in jail.

The United Kingdom has a strong genetic and epidemiological surveillance system and currently makes the largest number of corona virus gene sequences in the world, 10,000 per week. This data represents about 200,000 of the more than 600,000 views submitted to the public domain by scientists around the world. Brazil, for example, has contributed more than 3,100.

Yvette Cooper, chairman of the British Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, said the UK should “learn lessons” from how other countries handled international travel during epidemics.

Cooper said there were “gaps and weaknesses” in measures to prevent new varieties from entering the UK, and that “strong measures” were needed.

The Member of Parliament cited the example of South Korea, Which tests passengers at airports and provides specialized transport to transfer them from the terminal to their homes, ensuring that they do not use public transportation.

In the case of the United Kingdom, all travelers arriving in the country must present a negative Govt-19 test carried out 72 hours prior to departure.

On February 15, a rule came into force that residents of 33 countries considered to be the highest risk for Govt-19.

However, before that date, travelers can isolate themselves in their own homes for 10 days.

The corona virus variant identified in Brazil contains mutations in the genes that encode the spicule, which allows the virus to enter human cells, thus facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Data released by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil on February 27 indicates that adults are suffering from strain The load of a virus is 10 times higher, Which reinforces the theory that exchange increases.

It is also considered the “anxiety type” identified in December in the UK and discovered in South Africa.

Similar to P1, variants P1.1.7 (UK) and 501 YV2 (South Africa) have mutations in the spicule. Two mutations are particularly notable: the N501Y, in all three variants, and the E484K, found in South Africa and in circulation in Brazil.

As for the N501Y, there are indications that this mutation may further transmit SARS-CoV-2. As it becomes more contagious, the virus will take more people to the hospital and increase the number of deaths. However, There is no indication that the mutation causes severe symptoms of Covit-19.

In the case of E484K mutation, studies suggest that it may inhibit the activity of antibodies, which Raises concerns about potential impact on vaccine efficacy.

In early February, South Africa suspended the use of the Oxford-Astrogeneca vaccine, which has not yet been studied by other scientists, thus providing the vaccine “minimal protection” against mild and moderate cases of variation found in the country.

Modern Laboratory, for its part, recently announced that it has developed a version of its vaccine against the South African variant.

However, more studies are needed to determine the true potential impact of new variants on vaccine programs against COVID-19.

Some experts believe it is Not possible The Brazilian B1 variant is widespread in the UK because so far only six cases have been identified and monitored.

Esther Sabino, a professor at the University of S பாo Paulo in Brazil, said: “It takes many introductions of a virus to start an epidemic. Six is ​​very rare.

Stephen Bovis, a professor at the UK Health Authority, said vaccines could be “quickly modified” to deal with new strains.

For his part, Professor Graham Medley, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee (Sage) for Emergencies advising the British Government, said: New types could threaten UK plans to relax restrictions.

“We will face these categories over the next six months as we progress with the relaxation measures,” Medley said.

“There will be challenges along the way and there will always be a risk of retreating. No one wants that.”

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