The new coronavirus strain found in Malaysia is TEN TIMES more infectious
While scientists and researchers are trying hard to find treatment for the novel coronavirus, Malaysia has detected a new coronavirus strain that is reportedly 10 times more infectious.
The mutation
According to latest reports, the Malaysian Institute for Medical Research (MIMR) has found a D614G type mutation in SARS-COV-2 which was identified after carrying out isolation and culture tests on three cases belonging to the Sivagangga patient-under-investigation (PUI) Cluster and an additional case from the Ulu Tiram Cluster.
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah who is the health director-general Datuk shared on Facebook this Sunday that this calls for greater precautions as the Covid-19 virus with the D614G mutation has been detected in Malaysia. According to the post, the mutation was first detected in the month of July, and he feels that studies will most likely reveal that the existing vaccines in work will be rendered ineffective against the mutation.
Dr Anthony Fauci on the mutation
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that the new mutation may speed the spread of the coronavirus. It may also make the existing studies on the vaccine ineffective and incomplete.
He had spoken at an online event in early July conducted by Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) where he had said that there is ongoing research on a single mutation that is impacting a specific amino acid that is allowing the virus to replicate more rapidly and generate a higher viral load.
Why is the mutation called D614G?
Wondering why the mutation is being called the D614G mutation? Well, it is because the mutation alters the position of amino acid at 614, and from D (aspartic acid) to G (glycine), hence, D-614-G.
New study
As per a study published in the Cell press, the mutation is unlikely to have any major impact on the efficacy of the vaccines that are currently being developed.
“People need to be wary and take greater precautions because this strain has now been found in Malaysia. The people’s cooperation is very needed so that we can together break the chain of infection from any mutation,” Dr Hisham added in his social media post.
The number of new cases in Malaysia has been picking up with 26 new cases reported on Saturday, most since July 28 and 25 new cases on Sunday. Till now, Malaysia managed to prevent the resurgence of the virus.