The development of an effective vaccine or drug against the novel Coronavirus is also so difficult, because a Virus changed over time constantly. About a year and a half after the outbreak of the pandemic, Researchers around the world have already 100 different mutations of SARS-CoV-2 registered

Such variations or changes are normal, because the genetic material of the virus mutates with time, and new sub-types. It can also change the properties of a Virus. In the result, the original Virus can either weaken or but it is more aggressive.

These different variations also explain why a pathogen in certain regions of the world different heavy waves of Infection triggers and why do infections in different people very differently run.

afraid of the second wave in China

Actually, China, the country of origin of the pandemic had been brought, by the resolute output restrictions, the spread of the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 to be largely under control. In the past few weeks, almost only infections in returnees from abroad, were measured.

In recent times in China, but also in some provinces increasingly to infections is known, and this time the infection has been evident in China. Imago/NIAID-RML Make mutations of the Corona Virus as soon harmless?

In the first Tests showed, also, that, in the meantime, apparently, a new variant of the pathogen in China is circulating. Now in Beijing, found SARS-CoV-2 Virus differs slightly from the pathogen strain that was looking for China, previously a home, so Zeng Guang, an epidemiologist of the Chinese health authority in the newspaper "Global Times". The results will now be with the analyses from other countries compared to the lineage of the pathogen track.

Consistent protective measures

The current Virus infection track was led by the health authorities, finally, to cutting boards in the Xinfadi wholesale market in Beijing, which imported salmon to be processed. Where the salmon came from, is still unclear because China has to import salmon from several countries, such as Norway, Chile, Australia, Canada and the Faroe Islands.

as a Precaution, the Xinfadi was closed market on the weekend. Around 10,000 distributors and Employees of the market are now to be quickly tested on the SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

in addition, several residential blocks were cordoned off in the South of Beijing and the nine schools and kindergartens closed. The planned Opening of primary schools in Beijing will be postponed, sports events and group travel in other provinces, all of which were cancelled.

How comes it to mutations?

to replicate, use a virus to a host cell. When viruses infect such a host cell, a locks you out of your core of the genetic information into the affected cell. So which body cells reproduce millions of copies of the Virus. However, small copy to occur at each of these reproductions of error, and each error is a change in the genetic Code of the Virus, it mutates.

Where and how is the novel Coronavirus SARS CoV-2 is for the first time, jumped on the man, previously could not be clarified beyond doubt. So far, researchers from the end of the first mutations have already been widely used in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Presumably, the Protein the Virus binds to the cells, is mutated in a host animal, possibly a bat, an Armadillo or a raccoon dog. In any case, this Mutation has allowed the Transfer to human cells.

Normally, the human body itself is able to protect against such viruses. It produces antibodies to defend it against such virus attacks and making him immune to the pathogen make.

If the pathogen is mutated and the antibodies formed are programmed on an older Version of the pathogen, these antibodies are much less effective.

for the same reason, we also get regularly a cold. Our body has already formed during the previous cold appropriate anti-body, but for the re-mutated pathogens, we have formed a new anti-body.

mutations Are dangerous?

Much indicates that the new wave of Infection in China depends on a new Mutation, because this time the symptoms develop more slowly.

reason to panic, however, because a Virus is a Mutation is not necessarily dangerous. Some mutations can attenuate the Virus significantly.

Christian Drosten of the Charité hospital in Berlin looks a Mutation quite positive. So could replicate the novel Coronavirus "will be even better in the nose and also to better transfer", says German virologist with reference to recent studies.

a Mutation, which affects primarily the nose area, can multiply the Virus better, what "leads to the actual virus epidemics over time harmless," says Drosten in his NDR Podcast.

Although the Virus could also infect furthermore, the mucous membranes in the lungs, however, have the consequence that you feel much sicker than with a cold and to stay at the end of the home and a further Transfer avoid. Therefore, could no longer spread the Virus as well, says German virologist the connection.

mutations in a Virus can be sometimes so weak that it eventually disappears entirely, this was, for example, at the first Occurrence of the SARS-CoV pathogen in 2003.

as of November 2002, had spread to the first SARS pandemic, South China, starting within a few weeks, on almost all continents. As the first pandemic of the 21st century. Century, they aroused great Fears in the population. However, the Severe Acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) demanded that within half a year, worldwide, only 774 people's lives.

Already in the summer of 2003, the number of new infections are among worldwide decreased continuously. In may 2004, the WHO declared the first SARS pandemic, for survived.

author: Alexander friend Argentina months in Lockdown PCP, Argentina: months in a Lockdown risk factor is age: How do we protect the elderly? PCP risk factor is age: How do we protect the elderly? Mexico – returnees from the United States with the Virus in the Luggage PCP Mexico – returnees from the United States with the Virus in your Luggage

*The post "Make mutations, the Corona Virus as soon harmless?" is published by Deutsche Welle. Contact with the executives here.

Deutsche Welle

Date Of Update: 15 June 2020, 19:26