New Variant Sparks 'Vaccine Neutralization' Fear (Comprehensive)

South Africa COVID Cases Rise from 100 to 1,200 in One Month
Calls for Caution Say No Need for Excessive Worry Now

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead on COVID-19
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The NU (B.1.1.529) variant, which has 32 mutations occurring at once, has raised global concerns.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 25th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a special meeting on the 26th to decide whether to classify the NU variant as a variant of interest or concern. The meeting will examine whether the NU variant could potentially neutralize vaccines or treatments.

The NU variant carries 32 genetic mutations in the spike protein. Since the virus uses the spike protein to penetrate host cells, mutations in the spike protein can increase transmissibility and cause vaccine resistance. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, stated, "A high number of mutations can affect how the virus functions."

In response to the spread of the NU variant, the UK and Israel decided on the same day to ban entry from African countries including South Africa. The UK will prohibit flights arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini starting at 12:00 PM on the 26th. Israel also designated seven African countries?South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini?as travel ban countries.

First detected in Botswana, Africa on November 11th, the NU variant has so far been confirmed in about 10 cases worldwide. By country, there are 3 cases in Botswana, 6 in South Africa, and 2 in Hong Kong.

The South African Department of Health, where the NU variant has been most frequently found, warned on the same day that the variant could be highly transmissible. Health Minister Joe Phaahla called the NU variant "a serious concern" and pointed to it as the reason for the surge in new cases from the hundreds to 1,200 within a month.

Scientists have expressed concerns that the NU variant may have vaccine resistance but cautioned against premature conclusions. Dr. Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London, said about the NU variant, "The very large number of spike mutations is highly concerning," but added, "It could also turn out to be a strange strain with relatively low transmissibility."

Professor Fran?ois Balloux of the Genetics Institute at University College London (UCL) said, "Neutralizing antibodies may find it harder to recognize the NU variant compared to Alpha or Delta variants," but also noted, "At this stage, it is difficult to predict transmissibility. Unless it spreads rapidly in the near future, there is no need for excessive concern," showing a cautious stance.

Regarding the discovery of dozens of mutations at once, it was explained that "there may have been a single explosive mutation event," and "such changes could have occurred inside a chronic patient with a weakened immune system, such as one infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)."