Coronavirus: Vaccine hopes given boost as researcher says virus not mutating – The Independent

Researchers studying the strain of coronavirus wreaking havoc across the world have found that it is not mutating at a level that would make it significantly more deadly.

The findings by a veteran coronavirus research team have raised hopes that when a vaccine is eventually discovered for Covid-19, it will be effective for most people.

When you look at the sequences that are available from around the world, what youre finding is that youre not getting a dominant mutation, said Dr Vineet Menachery, a virologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, in an interview with The Independent.

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The good news is that because its not changing appreciably, we could reasonably argue that vaccines would work against most of the strains out there, he added.

Dr Menachery has been studying coronaviruses for 10years, including work on the SARS virus. Much of his research has focused on the interaction between viruses and the host immune system. He has also studied the threat of bat viruses and what makes them transmit to humans.

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A cab drives down at Seventh Avenue in Times Square

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Reuters

Empty street is seen near Lincoln tunnel

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An empty restaurant

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Empty chairs are seen near Hudson yards

Reuters

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An empty restaurant

Reuters

A mobile souvenir shop sits in an empty parking lot at Allianz Field as a match between the New York Red Bulls at Minnesota United FC is postponed

USA Today Sports/Reuters

Reuters

An empty Jacob K Javits Convention Center

Reuters

A person sits in an empty eating hall

Reuters

Empty parking lots

Reuters

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Jacob K Javits Convention Center

Reuters

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Reuters

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Empty retail stores

Reuters

Empty street is seen outside the New York Times building

Reuters

Empty parking lots

Reuters

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His teams research may be crucial in better understanding the deadly coronavirus outbreak as it continues to spread.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says at least 20 coronavirus vaccines are being developed around the world. The first human trials have already begun in Seattle, led by the Boston-based biotech firm Moderna.

Although the speed with which the vaccine went to trial is almost unprecedented, experts say it could still take about 18 months for any potential vaccine to become available to the general public.

According to Dr Menachery, some viruses can develop resistance to drugs and vaccines intended to treat it. But the early findings of this research suggest that is not happening quickly enough to increase the deadliness of the coronavirus. Thats good news, he said.

That doesnt mean it cant happen, but if we can develop either drugs or vaccines, they likely will work for the vast majority of people for the vast majority of time, he said.

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Despite working on coronavirus research since 2010, Dr Menachery said the scale of the current outbreak took him by surprise.

I dont know I would have predicted the size and scope of this. I would have expected it to be on a smaller scale, something like the original SARS outbreak, which was 8,000 people. It was a significant outbreak at the time, he said.

This was surprising in how transmissible it was and how quickly it spread. Were looking at approaching over half a million cases here in less than three months.

The total number of coronavirus infections worldwide has likely already passed that number. The current number of confirmed infections stands at around 450,000, but many people are thought to have contracted it without being tested.

The US is fast becoming a new epicentre of the outbreak. Nationwide, about 60,000 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus that is particularly perilous to the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions, with at least 812 deaths.

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Coronavirus: Vaccine hopes given boost as researcher says virus not mutating - The Independent