Scientists claim to have identified a new, more contagious form of the Covid virus, and warn it may lead to people who recover becoming re-infected.
The mutant form of the virus was first observed in Europe in February, then spread to the United States. It is now the most common form of the virus worldwide.
While the research, made by an international team, is yet to be peer-reviewed, the emergence of a new strain of the virus has raised concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines now under development.
However, many experts have questioned the research and its significance. They include Dr Francis Collins, director of the US National Institutes of Health, who told The Washington Post that the paper "draws rather sweeping conclusions".
The researchers, led by biologist Dr Bette Korber of the US Los Alamos National Laboratory, base their conclusions on genetic studies of thousands of examples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus reported to an international database.
They identified one strain with a mutation in the genetic instructions for the so-called spike proteins that stick out from its surface. These are used by the virus to infect healthy cells, triggering Covid-19 which has so far killed over 250,000 world-wide.
Analysis by the team suggests that the mutation, known as D614G, rapidly spread throughout Europe, becoming the dominant form of the virus just a few weeks after its appearance.
They claim that the mutation may boost the virus’s ability to break into healthy cells. “D614G is increasing in frequency at an alarming rate, indicating a fitness advantage relative to the original Wuhan strain that enables more rapid spread”.
To investigate whether the mutant form is also more harmful, the team studied its prevalence among over 450 Covid patients in hospitals in Sheffield, England.
The patients typically had greater levels of the virus. However, tests found no compelling evidence that the new strain increases the risk of serious illness.
According to the team, the rapid spread of the new strain raises the possibility that the mutation makes it more able to evade the body’s immune system. This, the team cautions, may leave patients “susceptible to a second infection”.
There may also be consequences for the design of vaccines, widely regarded as the best hope of ending the pandemic.
The team report that while they had planned to identify mutations that might undermine future vaccines “we did not anticipate such dramatic results so early in the pandemic”.
Responses to the research have been mixed.
Dr Jonathan Stoye, head of virology at the Francis Crick Institute, London, said that while the importance of the mutation has yet to be established, the study “shows that SARS-CoV-2 can alter its genetic structure in multiple ways as it spreads around the world”.
Dr Stoye added that this is “likely to have important implications for vaccine development.”
However, others expressed scepticism about the claims, pointing out there is little evolutionary pressure on the Covid virus to become more contagious as there are still huge numbers of people open to infection.
Instead, the mutant strain may simply have benefited from emerging in Europe, a region with a relatively old and vulnerable population. This allowed the new strain to trigger a surge in cases, creating the false impression it is more infectious.
Researchers also questioned the implications for vaccine development.
According to infectious disease expert Professor William Hanage of Harvard University, it is unlikely that a single mutation in the virus will prevent vaccines from working: “The virus would have been awfully lucky to have landed on the escape mutation from all these vaccines so early”.
Prof Hanage added: “Any vaccine will be tested to see if it provides protection against circulating strains”.
Robert Matthews is Visiting Professor of Science at Aston University, Birmingham, UK
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
India cancels school-leaving examinations
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
