Copa America in Brazil left a more transmissible variant of the coronavirus and an unprecedented mutation

Today 16:22

First detected in Colombia, the B.1.621 variant of the coronavirus also reached Brazil, where it was recorded in two men who were part of the delegations of Ecuador and Colombia that played in the Copa América in the South American country.

The two cases were diagnosed in Cuiabá, capital of the state of Mato Grosso.

B.1.621 was first described in January 2021 in Colombia. Since then, it has spread to 19 other countries in the Americas and Europe, according to the Pango Lineages website, which brings together genomic surveillance experts from various universities and research centers.

So far, the places with the most cases of covid-19 linked to this variant are the United States, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and the Netherlands.

How is this variant different and what does science already know about it?

Currently, B.1.621 is on a World Health Organization “watch list” along with other viral versions that need to be monitored and investigated.

Since it is relatively new, it has yet to be named with a Greek letter, as was the case with the Alpha (UK), Beta (South Africa), Gama (Brazil) and Delta variant. (India).

---

We recommend: As the Games approach, Tokyo records its highest number of coronavirus cases in 6 months

---

A soup of letters and numbers

The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that B.1.621 carries at least five major mutations in the spike protein, the structure found outside of the coronavirus and is responsible for sticking receptors on our cells and the onset of infection.

Four of these genetic alterations (E484K, N501Y, D614G and P681H) had already been observed in other more disturbing variants, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. But the R346K mutation appears to be new and has not been described in other versions of the virus.

These changes in the genetic code can make the infectious agent even more transmissible, endangering the control of the pandemic.

The European CDC has also reported that this variant could have some impact on acquired immunity after passing COVID-19 or by vaccination, but this still needs to be further investigated.

Presence in Colombia

In practice, this version of the coronavirus appears to have spread relatively easily in some places.

According to information from Gisaid, a global genomic surveillance initiative, the variant accounts for 24% of all samples collected and analyzed in Colombia.

In some localities, such as Cordoba, Bolívar, Atlántico and Chocó, it is already present in more than 60% of all genetic investigations carried out since the beginning of the year.

The pandemic situation in Colombia is indeed very worrying: the Latin American country currently has the third worst moving average of deaths in the world (only behind Namibia and Tunisia).

But does this variant have something to do with it? He is unknown. Colombia does not have a well-structured genomic coronavirus surveillance system that performs a large number of daily tests. Therefore, it is not possible to know exactly the presence and impact of the variants in the country.

Despite this, B.1.621 drew the attention of the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health.

In an article published in May, they show their concern at the “rapid increase in the frequency” of this variant “in a short period of time”, especially in cities which “appeared to be close to possible collective immunity”.

The situation in Brazil

Virologist Fernando Spilki, professor at Feevale University in Rio Grande do Sul, points out that, for now, there is no reason to panic with the B.1.621 variant.

“There are few reported cases in Brazil. Clearly it needs to be watched, but data from Colombia and other countries do not indicate greater aggressiveness, despite increasing cases in some areas “, he assesses.

“We also have no data on a possible resistance of this new variant to the vaccines already available”, adds the specialist.

According to a note released by the government of Mato Grosso, the cases of covid-19 caused by this version of the coronavirus were detected in two men, aged 37 and 47, who were respectively part of the football delegations of Ecuador and Colombia.

On June 13, the two countries met in the first round of the Copa América group stage. The party took place in Cuiabá.

The good news, according to information from authorities in Mato Grosso, is that the two patients were isolated in a hotel after their diagnosis and remained in quarantine until they received a certificate allowing them to return to their country of origin. ‘origin.

But although the post-diagnosis protocol was strictly followed, it is not known whether the two men had contact with other people before undergoing the tests.

Therefore, there is a risk that they have spread the variant throughout the country, hence the need to closely monitor the situation and see whether B.1.621 is gaining ground in Brazilian territory or not.

Even in the realm of uncertainty, it is not possible to determine whether this variant will cause greater damage in Brazil, where other fairly dominant versions of the coronavirus are in circulation, such as the case of Gama, which was initially detected in Brazil. Manaus).

Regardless of peak viral mutations or increased virulence potential, one thing is certain: preventive measures against COVID-19 remain effective and necessary.

It is therefore important to reinforce physical distancing, the use of masks (preferably PFF2 or N95), hand hygiene and air circulation in the rooms. Another essential step is to take both doses of the vaccine.

The vaccines available continue to be effective against the variants already discovered and, with a good number of people vaccinated, they manage to prevent the appearance of other even more dangerous versions of the coronavirus in one corner of the planet.