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WHAT IS THE NU VARIANT? WHICH AGE GROUP DOES IT AFFECT THE MOST?
As discussions continue about the Nu variant detected in South Africa, accompanied by many unknowns, scientists have made statements about the most mutated variant of Covid-19.
Concern about the Nu variant continues to grow exponentially in the scientific and medical world… Today, after many countries in Asia and Europe decided to close their doors to those from South Africa and regional countries, the World Health Organization also convened as an emergency.
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BUT WHAT SCIENTIFICALLY DISTINGUISHES THE NU VARIANT FROM OTHER VARIANTS?
It has been announced that some of the mutations suffered by the Nu variant, the most radically transformed and most mutated variant of the corona virus that originated in Wuhan, China, are vaccine resistance and faster transmission rate.
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2 IN DELTA, 10 IN NU
“We were surprised by this variant,” said a scientist at the Research and Innovation Platform, who explained the variant, which has been spreading rapidly in South Africa. It’s like a big leap in evolution. There are many more mutations than we expected. We were surprised that it was this much, especially after the third wave,” he said.
“It’s a variant in which very different and unusual mutations coexist,” said. there are more than 30 mutations. There are 10 mutations in its spines that only allow the virus to infect human cells. In Beta, this was 3, and in the Delta variant, it’s just 2,” he said.
Speaking to the New York Times, one of the most widely read US newspapers, infectious diseases expert said: “There is an aspect in this variant that is similar to the Lambda and Beta variants. It is assumed that this variant also harms immunity. But this variant, in addition to spreading faster, can also overwhelm the immune system,” he said.
On the other hand, speaking to the British newspaper The Times, some scientists from Imperial College explained the most dangerous aspect of this variant. “Vaccines against the spike protein (spike protein), which allows the virus to enter the body and infect cells, provide protection,” the official said. But there are 32 mutations in the virgo protein of this variant. This also sounds different to our immune system and causes us to behave differently when attacking the body,”he commented.
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IT IS DETECTED IN YOUNG PEOPLE
South African Minister of Health, on the other hand, made an alarming statement. Dr. “This new variant is being detected especially in young people,” said.
But behind this statement, there was no answer to the question of whether the virus has more pronounced consequences in young people, or only because the vaccination rate is low in young people, these results have come out.
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THERE ARE FRAGMENTS FROM MANY MUTATIONS
Scientists have announced that mutations K417N and E484A in the Nu variant have been detected, which provide resistance to the vaccine, while at the same time mutations N440K in the Delta variant and S477N in the New York variant have been detected. These mutations also serve to evade antibodies.
On the other hand, experts said that P681H and N679K mutations have also been detected, and they are normally very rarely seen together. Experts have noted that these mutations also provide resistance to the vaccine.
Scientists have stated that the N501Y mutation found in the Nu variant accelerates transmission. In addition, mutations G446S, T478K, Q493K, G496S, Q498R and Y505H were detected in the Nu variant. But scientists have stressed that their effect is not yet known.
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ASSOC. DR. WARNING ABOUT THE ‘NU’ VARIANT FROM WARRIOR
Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Dr. “If we don’t take precautions and it spreads in Europe, there will be a spread in Turkey after 1-2 months,” said, noting that the ‘Nu’ mutation seen in South Africa is very dangerous.
Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences. Dr. A new mutation in the coronavirus called ‘Nu’ has been detected in South Africa, said. Expressing that the World Health Organization (WHO) is alarmed in South Africa and especially in the UK, said: “Currently, the UK has banned flights from South Africa. As Turkey, our first precaution is that we should be very cautious about South Africa and transit flights, and if necessary, we should impose restrictions. At the moment, we do not have any data on this mutation in our country. Mutations have been detected in only 3-5 countries, and the most recent case was in Israel. In fact, this can be considered to be as alarming and frightening as the Delta variant,” he said.
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WE SHOULD NOT NEGLECT VACCINATION
Assoc. Dr. “Germany has seen the highest number of cases in recent months,”said, noting that very serious measures are being considered, especially in Europe in countries with low vaccination rates. Vaccination rates in Germany are around 68 percent. In the Netherlands, likewise, the number of cases has increased a lot. Switzerland also saw the highest number of cases in recent months. Now the European Union has begun to impose a 2nd and 3rd dose of vaccine on country travel. We still have people who haven’t been vaccinated who we can’t reach. We are trying to treat them to the fullest. We are also currently moving forward with a Covid-19 intensive care occupancy rate of 100 percent in our hospital as of today. Therefore, we must never neglect vaccination. In particular, the 2-dose Sinovac vaccine currently has no protection. Make sure that our citizens get their 3rd dose vaccinations. if 6 months have passed since the 2nd dose of the BioNTech vaccine, especially if there are chronic diseases over the age of 45, health workers or people working in very intense risky environments should have their 3rd dose,” he said.
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IT COULD SPREAD ACROSS THE GLOBE
Assoc. Dr. noted that the ‘Nu’ mutation seen in South Africa is a genomically proven variant that contains all of the mutational replications seen so far, “So this is already a worrying situation. It can also spread worldwide, especially within 1-2 months. The winter period is coming, the indoor areas will increase. There will be trips around the world. In this sense, unfortunately, the virus can spread further. Here, the countries that have won the exam, the struggle, and achieved success will be the countries that keep the vaccination rate high. Other countries, unfortunately, will again be subject to restrictions. In this sense, children aged 5-11 should also quickly switch to vaccination programs. We need to speed up vaccination,” he said.
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TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED
Assoc., who noted that South Africa, where the ‘nu’ variant has been identified, is a very contacted country, especially in terms of tourism and trade. Dr. said: “In this sense, restrictions should be placed on our flights, especially with the UK, India and South Africa. Even if there are transit flights, measures at airports must be increased. Because indeed the ‘Nu’ mutation seems to be an alarming mutation. If we do not take flight restrictions and measures, if the ‘Nu’ variant spreads in Europe, there will be a spread in Turkey after 1-2 months. The most important thing that our people can do in this process is to be vaccinated,” he said.
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SUPER VARIANT’ VERSIONS MAY COME OUT
Assoc. Dr. “Versions of the ‘super variant’ may also appear, as it will try to protect itself a little more by mutating during this period,” the said, saying that he has been experiencing the last moments of the coronavirus. But as the vaccination rate increases, the virus will become self-destructive. Because he’ll know you won’t live. He’ll lose the war. Unfortunately, we are still losing 200-300 citizens in our country. His relatives and we are also saddened. Therefore, we must never abandon the measure. As health workers in Turkey, we are also tired, our people are tired of some issues, but we must never abandon the measures,” he said.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.