A new coronavirus variant is seen spreading across Europe, research says

[sabra]

Source: CNBC

LONDON — A variant of the coronavirus that is believed to have originated in Spain has spread across Europe and now accounts for most of the new cases reported in several countries in the region, according to the findings of a new study.

The research, which is due to published on Thursday and has not been peer reviewed, details how an international team of scientists has closely monitored the coronavirus through its genetic mutations.

Each variant of the coronavirus has its own genetic signature, meaning it can be traced back to the place it first emerged.

It says a new variant of the disease, identified as 20A.EU1 by researchers from Switzerland and Spain, was first observed in Spain in June. The new variant has been recorded in Spain at frequencies of above 40% since July, the study said.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/29/coronavirus-variant-seen-spreading-across-europe-research-says.html

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. this makes vaccine development like trying to hit a moving target

[Raster]

3. this is why we don't have a cure for the common cold...

...which is also caused by a corona virus. They tend to mutate.

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. yup!

[AllyCat]

20. Some colds caused by a coronavirus

[PSPS]

26. All colds are coronavirus variants

[Buckeye_Democrat]

29. Rhinovirus is the primary cause.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinovirus

[PSPS]

31. Yes, I stand corrected. Colds can be either coronavirus or rhinovirus.

[elias7]

38. Actually, it's a bit more than that

Rhinoviruses do make up the largest group, over 100 serotypes can cause the common cold. Although influenza virus and parainfluenza virus generally cause more systemic “flu like” symptoms an upper respiratory syndrome consistent with the common cold occurs in the small percentage.

Rhinovirus 30 to 50%. Coronavirus 10 to 15%. Influenza virus 5 to 15%. Respiratory syncytial virus 5%. Parainfluenza virus 5%. Adenoviruses less than 5%. Enteroviruses (echoviruses and Coxsackie virus) less than 5%. Metapneumovirus unknown. Unknown 20 to 30%.

[AllyCat]

37. Yes.

[Loki Liesmith]

5. Depends on how broad spectrum the vaccine is

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. indeed...its mode of action, and what parts of the virus are

changing in the mutations.

[forgotmylogin]

9. Hopefully not as deadly?

I've read that sometimes viruses "learn" that killing their hosts is not the best way to keep spreading.

[roamer65]

12. Natural selection favors less virulent forms of a virus.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

18. Smallpox is actually the best example of that.

In two different parts of the world, the smallpox virus, variola major, underwent a big change and became variola minor in the late 19th century. The minor version was far, far less virulent. Most people survived and were not scarred by this version. So actually, smallpox was well on its way to being one of the childhood diseases that we also now vaccinate for (measles, mumps, chicken pox) that was more of an easily survivable nuisance rather than a killer and disfigurer of people.

[Yavin4]

21. sometimes viruses "learn" -- Viruses are smarter than Trump supporters.

The more you know.

[ananda]

25. I read that article... and it makes sense.

Apparently, the virus will get more contagious but
less deadly.

How soon the less deadly part comes I'm not sure.

[Boomer]

35. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply to SARS-COV-2

The lethality of viruses lessens when the illness/death it cause reduces the window of exposure for other victims. But this coronavirus has a very long contagious period in which there are no symptoms, allowing it to spread significantly before the victim is too ill (if ever) to stay put at home. Many people are asymptomatic, so they continue spreading the disease throughout the contagious phase. There's little to no selective pressure on the pathogen to become less virulent.

[ancianita]

32. According to recent lengthy New Yorker reports, broad spectrum hasn't been how vaccine is developed.

Last edited Thu Oct 29, 2020, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Bioresearch says it wasn't been cost effective in the past because for cold viruses, mutation has always outpaced vaccination, and so money's put into one virus at a time yearly.

Given the ongoing infection rates across seasons, they say it's possible that they'll give broad spectrum virus vaccine development some investment.

Sooner or later there's going to have to be global coordination of vaccine development for variants.

But puny humans don't have leverage, only states.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/13/the-quest-for-a-pandemic-pill

https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/the-long-game-of-coronavirus-research

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-case-for-a-coronavirus-vaccine-bond

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. This is another problem with idiots advocating "herd immunity"

the more people infected, the more opportunities for mutation.

[IronLionZion]

16. Idiots want to kill people quickly in hopes the pandemic will be over

when it will also leave people with permanent organ damage. Then everyone will have pre-existing conditions and can't get health insurance.

[AllyCat]

23. And the stupid rapture will "come"

[IronLionZion]

28. Some of the dumbest ones think this is the rapture

to explain why it disproportionately impacts conservatives who congregate maskless indoors in churches

[DENVERPOPS]

24. Good Point ML

I was thinking: Isn't this Herd Immunity crap they are pushing, much the same as "Survival Of The Fittest"?......and wasn't that a major tenant of Darwinism???? My mind is very old, so maybe I have things mixed up????

[Miguelito Loveless]

27. It was, though Darwin's use

of the term was twisted into a social theory to advocate cut-throat societies.

In biology the term is a way to describe "natural selection", which is more nuanced in that it means that any biological adaptation/mutation which enhances the chances of the species to thrive and survive, will become dominant as long as it is around long enough to be passed on genetically. The ability to run faster than "normal" does you no good if that trait also kills you before sexual maturity.

[DENVERPOPS]

36. Thx, ML

It's been a long long time since high school and college.....So, I pick other's brains for what I can't fully remember.
"If you don't use it, you lose it"....LOL

Thank you for your gifted and comprehensive answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vercetti2021]

6. Straight out of Plague Inc

You can mutate viruses to make them much more deadlier. Well people are doing a good job letting it mutate

[Initech]

8. That's what happeend with influenza - it got more deadly, then eventually less deadly.

[vercetti2021]

10. Yep

Corona mutating is beyond terrifying

[Thyla]

11. Who would of thought opening Europe up for summer

Would of seen this virus spread more.

Morons, they wanted their summer now look at the consequences of their poor decision making.

Now they want their Christmas. Rinse and repeat. By March we should of come full circle and in the midst of a monster 3rd wave.

[Steelrolled]

34. I think by March vaccinations will be ramping up fast.

[raccoon]

13. We're all gonna die. Nt

[getagrip_already]

14. at least 500,000 needlessly early..... n/t

[OneCrazyDiamond]

17. I agree about covid deaths being needless, but

the planet does need a few less people, and if it concentrates on maskless right-wingers, there may be a double benefit for the planet's needs.

[Sherman A1]

15. It is 2020 so it kinda figures.

[Illumination]

19. We have enough on our plate already. We don't need anything else. Thanks but no thanks!...

[Dopers_Greed]

22. So this is the 2nd wave

[nitpicker]

30. Link to Canada's National Post

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/mutant-covid-19-strain-in-spanish-farm-workers-sparked-europes-second-wave-scientists

[Steelrolled]

33. Fortunately it seems like 2nd infections are still rare.

The initial spike in Italy started in early March, more than 7 months ago. No news is good news!

[scipan]

39. About mutations: remember the instructions for

Making the spike protein, that locks into the ACE 2 cell receptors, is very likely to be "highly conserved". And the spike protein is what most of the vaccines target.