Sars-Cov-2 mutations found in Maharashtra, Kerala samples
New
Delhi,
Feb
24:
Scientists
globally
have
been
worrying
about
some
mutations
of
Sars-Cov-2.
Officials
say
that
samples
of
E484K
and
N440K
have
been
taken
from
some
people
in
Kerala
and
Maharashtra.
The
numbers
refer
to
the
change
in
the
pathogens
protein,
which
can
tweak
its
structure.
At
least
one
of
these
changes,
E484K
has
been
established
to
reduce
the
efficacy
of
the
vaccines
and
make
the
immunity
from
a
previous
infection
ineffective,
a
report
in
the
Hindustan
Times
said.
"There is no direct relation between the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and some other states where the mutations N440K and E484K," the report said while citing Dr. Balram Bhargava, director general of the ICMR.
A new COVID-19 challenge: Mutations rapidly popping up along with cases
Dr.
Bhargava
also
said
that
these
two
virus
strains
have
been
detected
in
other
countries
too
and
are
not
specific
to
India
alone.
They
have
been
found
earlier
in
some
states
in
India
earlier
as
well,
he
also
said.
The
South
African
variant
has
nine
mutations
that
change
its
structure,
including
E484K
that
occurs
in
the
spike
protein,
the
component
of
the
virus
which
plays
a
role
in
entry
into
host
cells,
the
report
also
said.