A new variant of Covid19 has been discovered in Mato Grosso and may soon arrive in the state, according to Dive/SC (Santa Catarina Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate). According to the ministry, this is because the new variant is already circulating across the country.
New variant could arrive in Santa Catarina Photo: Archive/Ricardo Wolffenbüttel / Secom/Reproduktion/ND
The new variant was identified by Lacen (Central Public Health Laboratory) of the State Department of Health of Mato Grosso and is called JN 2.5. This is the first time the strain has been recorded in Brazil. According to the Secretariat, this is a variant of the omicron.
For the study carried out between January 16 and 18 to identify the new variant, 15 Covidpositive samples were selected and sequenced in the municipalities of Cuiabá (8) and Várzea Grande (7).
Four women tested positive for the subvariant, three of whom were hospitalized, discharged and sent to home isolation.
The fourth patient, who suffered from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), died and the death is still being investigated by local epidemiological surveillance.
Alarm in Santa Catarina
Dive/SC warns of the possibility of the JN 2.5 subvariant reaching Santa Catarina, considering its nationwide spread. To date, there are no records of exposure in the state.
In a statement, the SES (Santa Catarina State Department of Health) emphasized the importance of vaccination as a preventative measure to avoid severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Following the new strategy recommended by the Ministry of Health, SES highlights the following:
- Vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years as part of the National Vaccination Calendar.
- Vaccination of the population in priority groups with an annual dose or every 6 months.
How does a virus strain develop?
According to the Ministry of Health, the evolution of a virus strain occurs mainly through genetic mutations. Mutations are changes in the virus’s genetic material that can arise spontaneously as the virus multiplies.
Variations are considered common by scientists Photo: Reproduction/EBC/ND
These genetic changes can lead to different characteristics of the strain, such as: B. Variations in infectiousness, transmissibility, resistance to medical treatments or immune response.
There are several factors that contribute to the development of virus strains:
- Replication rate: Viruses generally have a high replication rate, which increases the likelihood of mutations occurring. The faster a virus reproduces, the more likely it is that errors will occur when copying the genetic material.
- Natural selection: Mutations that give the virus advantages, such as: Other factors, such as a greater ability to spread between hosts or resistance to certain treatments, can increase the virus's chances of survival and reproduction. Because of natural selection, these mutations are more likely to be maintained over time.
- Selective printing: Environmental factors such as the host immune response or pressure exerted by antiviral drugs can exert selective pressure on viral strains. This favors the survival of variants that can escape or resist this pressure.
- Genetic recombination: Some viruses undergo genetic recombination, where genetic material from different strains is exchanged during replication. This can create new genetic combinations that lead to strains with different characteristics.
Viral evolution is a dynamic and continuous process. Most mutations do not have significant effects, but some may confer important selective advantages for virus survival.