In a conversation with Israel Today, the Israeli Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness at the World Health Organization in Denmark, Dr. Dorit Nitzan, explains the fear of the new mutation • "The announcement lit a red light regarding the quality of vaccines"
The winter panic: The
Israeli doctor Dr. Dorit Nitzan, who is in charge of emergency preparedness at the World Health Organization, who lives in Denmark and also treats the current crisis, explains in a conversation with Israel Today about the growing concern about the new mutation developed by the animal.
Photo: Knesset Spokeswoman
"On November 5, Denmark reported to the health organization 'Cluster 5', a morbid cluster, that they suspect there is a change in the protein composition in the envelope of the virus. This has caused concern as vaccines and tests are targeting this protein. The identification of the test and the fitness of the vaccines. "
"Already in the spring, the Netherlands was the first country to report heavy morbidity and mortality among miners living on breeding farms and thinned the population there, and later Belgium and Denmark also reported the same problem. In all countries, millions of miners have been destroyed in recent months."
According to Dr. Nitzan given in Denmark they did tests on the genetic sequence of the virus and thus discovered subtypes that have been transmitted to humans. "We are now trying to test whether it is a different type of virus that can cause re-infection, and whether in a person who has already developed antibodies to corona .
"The good news is that only 12 patients have been detected in Denmark so far, who have a sub-virus from 'Cluster 5'. They and all their families and the districts in which they live have been completely closed. There is also heavy guarding and they are not allowed to enter and leave those districts. the people".
Dr. Nitzan added that "Denmark is not the only country that has a breeding farm for mink.
We in the World Health Organization are in touch with many countries.
There are minks in breeding farms in Spain, Kazakhstan and also in the Baltic countries this is an industry.
We in the race are worried about catching it before the virus changes and preventing the passage of other animals. "
According to her, it is currently a subtype of the virus, which is still unclear if and to what extent it will be passed on.
"Fortunately, at the moment it seems that this type of virus is no different from the corona in the severity of the disease. At the moment, the activity is focusing on the extermination of the mammalian population, because it may be possible to eradicate and prevent the spread."
The main concern - the transition of the mutation between humans and animals and vice versa
"We are concerned about the transmission of a virus from human to animal, or from animal to human or of one type after another, because the virus has a tendency to mutate to adapt and this poses a risk. Even if now the change does not seem dangerous and effective in future testing and vaccination There will be mutations for which the vaccine will not be effective and a more serious type of virus may develop. "
According to her, "Another cause for concern is that there is a repository of spread that is difficult to control - it is impossible to control and isolate the wintering population. Another worrying reason is to give this type of corona where there is a slight change that could lead to a mass of people infected. They will protect him. "
"Anyone who is in contact with patients from Denmark should not move or get on flights. Anyone who suspects he is sick will stay and recover. I think the chances of patients coming to Israel from Denmark are not great because Denmark has closed the region and will not let people leave. But what happens in other countries is difficult to control." Dr. Nitzan concluded.
