Chinese scientists have discovered there have been more than 30 mutations of coronavirus and researchers have “direct evidence.”
The new discovery explains why in certain parts of the world coronavirus is more deadly than in other parts.
Scientists from Zhejiang University, China said coronavirus “has acquired mutations capable of substantially changing its pathogenicity.”
Professor Li Lanjuan who is China’s top scientist wrote the study with is research team, he was one the scientists that proposed the Wuhan lockdown.
Professor Lanjuan used “ultra-deep sequencing” after taking samples from patients in Hangzhou, almost 500-miles from the epicentre in Wuhan.
Of those patients, eight were male and three were female, aged between four months and 71-years old, all had “moderate or worse symptoms” of the virus.
The researchers found 33 mutations of coronavirus, 19 of them were new.
According to the South China Post, the deadliest mutations were found in many patients from Europe, with milder strains found in the US.
The scientific findings show “the true diversity of the viral strains is still largely underappreciated.”
Professor Lanjuan warned vaccine developers that they must consider the “accumulating mutations… to avoid potential pitfalls.”
Her research team said the study indicates a “higher viral load leads to a higher cell death ratio.”
As countries are easing lockdown measures the WHO are warning of a second wave which could be more deadly than what the world has seen thus far.
He told reporters at a press briefing at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, “Trust us. The worst is yet ahead of us.
“Let’s prevent this tragedy. It’s a virus that many people still don’t understand.”
Dr Tedros likened coronavirus to the Spanish flu, he said the virus has a very dangerous combination… like the 1918 flu that killed up to 100 million people.”
Leave a Comment