Norway discovers new SARS-CoV-2 mutant strain that spreads faster and names it M439K

Reporter : Zhu Ying / Editor : Mei Lan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2020/10/20/a102967491.html / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 (CCP virus) epidemic in Europe has shown an upward trend, and Norway has even discovered a new mutant strain with stronger transmission ability. As for more characteristics of this strain, further research is currently needed, but public opinion is concerned that the continuous mutation of the CCP virus will add more uncertainty to the global epidemic prevention this winter.

The Norwegian health agency recently confirmed that a new variant of the CCP virus was discovered in the central city of Trondheim in the central part of the country. Its transmission ability is stronger than other known strains.

According to the Swedish newspaper "World News" (VG), this new virus strain, temporarily named M439K, has never appeared in Norway before, and no record has been found in existing international databases. The virus was found after being sent to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) from St. Olaf’s Hospital in Trondheim on 16 October.

The report quoted the city’s senior doctor Tove Røsstad as saying that although more attributes of this new virus variant are not yet known, preliminary analysis shows that in Trondheim, people are more susceptible to this type of infection. Even if one is not in close contact in a confined space, one may be infected.

The study found that there are three changes in the surface protein of the new strain: two of the changes result in the shortening of the spike protein (S protein), and there is also a slightly important change in the area where the virus binds to human cells. The Norwegian health agency determined that the spread of this mutated CCP virus is faster than other types of strains discovered in the past.

According to comprehensive foreign media reports, this round of Trondheim's epidemic first broke out in the Edge hair salon, and then spread to the small London bar next door through close contact. At least 35 cases have been infected and 1,500 people have been isolated. Preliminary studies confirmed that the M439K mutant virus strain belongs to the genetic subgroup of coronaviruses, called B.1.5. As for how changes in new strains will affect virus infection, or what changes in the ability and ways to cause disease, further research is currently under way.

In late August this year, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and other countries have successively discovered that some patients were diagnosed with the CCP virus after a period of time after they had fully recovered. Further studies have found that the second infection of these patients has a significantly different genetic sequence from the strain of the first infection.

On 12 October 2020, a research report published by the international medical journal "The Lancet" also confirmed that patients who have been infected with the CCP virus, even if they develop the corresponding antibodies, cannot guarantee that they will be right under all circumstances. The CCP virus has complete resistance. This report calls on the public, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed and recovered, to insist on taking preventive measures to avoid contracting the CCP virus as much as possible.