Scientists in the UAE have warned against complacency in response to Covid-19 as they begin to unlock new information on the virus.
Experts in the country have studied the genetic makeup of the first 240 people to be infected in the Emirates in an effort to understand more.
Establishing a detailed picture of the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus could help identify how effective a potential vaccine might be.
Significantly, researchers found that the virus in their study was relatively stable, increasing the chances of a vaccine lasting for longer periods.
“Detailed information of the genetic sequence of each individual was collected as well as clinical information to understand the genetics of the virus,” said Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, a member of the Emirates Scientist Council and provost at the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in Dubai.
One cluster showed sequences similar to those in Europe while another was similar to those seen in Iran.
“That data could be compared with the genome sequencing recorded and published in Wuhan, China, in late December.
“This information helps scientist understand more about the genetic background of the virus and track transmission of the disease.”
The results of the new research has helped shed light on how coronavirus entered the UAE.
The first case in the country, a 73-year-old Chinese woman, was announced on January 29. She was released on February 9 after recovering.
Experts said they had uncovered “multiple” introductions of the virus to the UAE, with resulting cluster patterns similar to other countries.
They also found most of the infected patients only showed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic.
Those who presented with more serious symptoms tended to be older, male and had underlying health conditions.
“We found multiple introductions of the virus into the country,” said Dr Ahmad Abou Tayoun, associate professor of Genetics at MBRU and director of the Genomics Centre at Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital.
“One cluster showed sequences similar to those in Europe while another was similar to those seen in Iran.
“A few patients had an Asian background as their sequence clustered with the early cases recorded in China.
“The main finding is we had multiple introductions into the country, as expected with Dubai being such an international hub.”
Dr Tom Loney, an epidemiologist at MBRU, said more research was required to understand if different strains of Covid-19 could be more deadly than others.
Further study is also needed to establish whether those who have caught the virus and recovered build up any immunity and for how long.
“We don’t yet understand if the different variations in the virus is linked to it being more infectious or that it is easier to transmit,” said Dr Loney.
“For the virus to survive it needs to infect more people before it kills them off.
“We will continue our research to see if other strains are related to more serious health outcomes.”
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
