The accelerated mutation of monkeypox is worrying; 50 genetic variations have been detected

The virus of monkey pox appears to be mutating more than expected, according to research conducted in Portugal.

A team from National Institute of Health reconstructed genetic sequences of the virus monkeypox linked to the outbreak that broke out in the European country, with at least 241 cases. The analysis reveals that the outbreak most likely has a single origin.

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The worrying thing is that said origin shows a significant evolution with respect to the outbreaks of 2018-2019. In total they are about 50 genetic variations, compared to the previous outbreak. The research was published in the scientific journal Nature.

The scientists also found that the current outbreak the virus has not stopped evolvingincluding some changes in the genetic code, minor genetic variants, and a deleted gene.

“It was quite unexpected to find so many mutations in the virus of the monkey pox from 2022″, said João Paulo Gomes, of the Lisbon National Institute of Health and one of the authors of the report. In general, given the characteristics of the virus, Gomes added, one would not expect more than one or two mutations each year.

The virus of monkey pox It takes longer to mutate than the coronavirus that causes covid-19. In fact, it did not spread easily from person to person. Nevertheless, Scientists do not know how the mutations that the virus has undergone may impact its contagiousness, or its severity.

Vaccination group expanded in the United States

For now, in response to the growing outbreak in the United States, health authorities on Tuesday expanded the group of people who are recommended to be vaccinated against the virus.

Now, this group includes those who might realize for themselves that they might be infected. This includes men who have recently had sex with other men at parties or other gatherings in cities where cases of monkey pox.

Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue. People with a more severe condition may develop rashes and lesions on the face and hands, which can spread to other parts of the body.

Until Tuesday, The United States had identified 306 infections in 27 states and the District of Columbia. More than 4,700 cases have been found in more than 40 countries outside of Africa where the virus is endemic.

In addition to expanding the vaccination group, the United States health authorities reported that 56,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine were immediately available, a batch five times larger than the one that has been distributed so far, in areas of high transmission, as part of a large-scale immunization strategy.

It is not an international emergency

The CEO of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday that the outbreak of monkey pox is a very worrying health threat but for the moment This is not a global public health emergency.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus he noted that the outbreak was “clearly an evolving health threat” that needed immediate action to stop further spread, using surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and patient care.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.