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Lauterbach warns of a new virus variant Mu - also dangerous for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered

2021-09-09T14:25:28.051Z


Delta variant is currently determining the dynamic infection process in Germany. But a new virus variant continues to spread. Lauterbach warns.


Delta variant is currently determining the dynamic infection process in Germany.

But a new virus variant continues to spread.

Lauterbach warns.

Berlin - The corona virus is mutating.

That is normal.

Mutations appear all over the world.

Most of them are harmless.

In some cases, however, the properties that Corona researchers are drawing attention to change.

For example, the delta virus variant is considered highly contagious.

Delta is therefore on the list of "worrisome virus variants" (VOC - Variants of Concern).

Corona mutation: Lauterbach warns of new virus variant Mu

Karl Lauterbach is now warning of the virus variant Mu. “Mu variant found in Japan is more resistant to Biontech or antibodies from recovered products than ALL other variants.

If a variant like Mu also mutated into a high level of infection, that would be extremely dangerous, ”tweeted Lauterbach.

With billions of unvaccinated people, this is possible at any time, writes the epidemiologist.

In his tweet, Lauterbach refers to a preprint study from Japan that was published on the

biorxiv.org

platform

.

These results have yet to be assessed by independent experts.  

"They should not be relied on in clinical practice or health-related behavior and they should not be published as established information in the media," the site says. 

Corona mutation: variant Mu first appeared in Colombia

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified this new virus variant Mu (B.1.621) on August 30, 2021 as a new "interesting variant" (VOI - Variants of Interest).

According to the WHO, it has mutations that could indicate a possible resistance to vaccines.

The variant was first discovered in January in Colombia.

In Colombia at this time, 39 percent of the corona infection cases were due to the mu variant.

The share of global distribution is 0.1 percent.

Mu is responsible for the deadliest wave of the corona pandemic in Colombia to date, said Marcela Mercado from the state health authority to a local radio station, as the afp news agency reported on September 3.

And not only that: "It is now in at least 43 countries and has shown itself to be highly contagious."

Mu variant found in Japan is more resistant to BionTech or antibodies recovered than ALL other variants.

If a variant like Mu also mutated into a high level of contagion, that would be extremely dangerous.

Possible at any time for billions of people who have not been vaccinated.

https://t.co/1GO5utajhR

- Karl Lauterbach (@Karl_Lauterbach) September 8, 2021

Coronavirus variant Mu dangerous for Germany?

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also monitoring Mu. Although the EMA is mainly focusing on the highly contagious Delta variant, it is also investigating other variants such as the Mu variant, said the head of vaccine strategy, Marco Cavaleri, last week. Mu may have immune-evasive characteristics, so that vaccinated or convalescent people could not be protected from this variant.

"I have to say, however, that we don't yet have any data showing whether the mu variant is spreading heavily and whether it has any chance of overtaking the delta variant as the predominant strain of the virus," said Cavaleri. However, the EMA will be discussing the effectiveness of the available corona vaccines against the mu variant with the vaccine developers. The corona situation in Germany is less beautiful with a view of autumn and winter. The vaccination rate slows down. Mostly unvaccinated people end up in the intensive care units.

(ml with material from afp) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-09-09

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