The Mexican variant of Covid which originated in Mexico hitting more than 2.4m people has spread to Europe.
The highly new contagious variant has hit 52.8% of confirmed cases in the country and scientists are alarmed at the rate of transmission.
Professor Federico of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna said, “This variant has been increasingly spreading among people in North America, particularly in Mexico.
“To date, this variant covers more than 50% of the existing viruses in this area. The rate and speed of the spread recall those of the ‘British variant.’
“The mutation of the Spike protein is structurally located in the region of interaction with human receptor ACE2. Coronaviruses attach to this receptor to infect cells, thus spreading the infection with more efficacy.”
The Mexican variant known at T478K can access cells of the ACE2 human protein and change the interaction and the antibodies of the immune system and can hinder drug efficacy.
The new more contagious Mexican variant has been identified in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
Giorgi added that the the “next few months will be crucial to act promptly and with efficient means.”