''Unstoppable': New details about the mutation that worries scientists

January 5, 2021   

The global medical community has been dealing in recent days with the new mutation discovered in South Africa - and its possible implications for the vaccination campaign. Suffering from a medical problem? Feeling alone? • Can earn 6,400 NIS per month from the situation Professor Barry Shove, a virus expert who serves as the chairman of the South African Vaccine Committee and who directed the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases, was interviewed today (Tuesday) for the 'Sholosh' edition with Ofer Hadad on Channel 12, and provided additional details about the worrying mutation. "We found a mutation that is similar to the one discovered in Britain," said Prof. Shove. "It is called mutation 501, after the location in the genome of the virus where it occurred." He claims that there are a total of 3 mutations, after two additional and infectious ones were discovered in a very central location of the virus: the receptor binding site, where it connects to cells. However, Shove could not say whether the mutations cause a more severe disease and whether the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective against them: "We are still testing that. All the vaccines are being tested all over the world and we have to wait and see what happens." He also again referred to the possibility of stopping the spread of mutations: "People call it the 'South African mutation,' but we don't know if it developed here. It could have come from somewhere else and only been discovered here." According to him, it has already spread to at least 8 countries, while the British mutation has spread to 40 countries. "The virus will eventually spread, even if we stop international flights. It's inevitable. Viruses spread and mutate naturally and will continue to do so.".