This article is reproduced from [Popular Science China];
According to the National Health Commission, From March 1st to 13th, more than 10,000 infected people were reported in the local epidemic, affecting 27 cities across the country. province.
This round of new crown epidemic caused by the mutant strain of the new coronavirus “Omicron”, cases The number has skyrocketed, with more than 5,000 new cases added in a single day in Japan on 14th!
However, recently, a new coronavirus that may be “Double Drugs in One” has been discovered internationally, that is, a fusion of “Delta” and “Omicron”. A new variant of the new coronavirus “deltacron” (deltacron).
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Is the “deltacron” variant scarier ? Let’s find out together.
What is “Delta Chron” recombinant virus?
On March 8, 2022, a study by French researchers in medical research published on the medical research paper preprint site medRxiv on March 8 found that by sequencing the genome, they discovered this new new coronavirus variants.
Through further analysis of the gene sequence, it is proved that this newly mutated new coronavirus is a combination of “Delta” and “Omicron”, The backbone of this new variant is ” Delta”, but the disease-causing spike protein is from “Omicron”, so the researchers dubbed this new virus variant “Delta Chron” (deltacron).
Data provided by the Global Shared Influenza Database (GISAID) shows that Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, etc. have confirmed cases of “Delta Coron”. It is said that as early as January 2022, the new variant may have begun to spread in the population.
Can two different mutant viruses be combined and recombined?
The new coronavirus is an RNA virus. Unlike other viruses, constant mutation is the characteristic of RNA viruses. RNA viruses with high mutation rates are never purebred, and when RNA viruses infect humans or are grown in the laboratory, they are often mixed together in large numbers of quasispecies.
That is to say, the new coronavirus virus that spreads widely in the population itself is a large number of mutant strains circulating, rather than a pure virus. At the same time, even if a person is infected with the new coronavirus, the new coronavirus on his body is mixed with multiple virus quasispecies.
Mutation is one of its own characteristics, it mutates at any time, even if a person is infected with the new coronavirus, there are many mutant viruses together, not a pure new coronavirus, but modern science still Unable to recognize and master the mutation of RNA virus, there is a lack of specific treatment methods.
For example: “deltacron” (deltacron) is not the first “Omicron” mutant strain detected by scientists after “Omicron”, in fact, there is also B. 1.640.2 and other variants.
In fact, theoretically, new mutant strains can be detected at any time.
So it is not surprising that there is a mutant strain that combines the delta variant of the new coronavirus and the Omicron variant – “deltacron”.
The Delta Chron variant is scarier?
The world has been baptized by the new crown virus pandemic for more than two years. In the face of the new mutation of the new crown virus – “deltacron”, there is actually no need to be afraid.
This is because: the general trend of new coronavirus mutation is that the virulence is continuously weakened, the virulence and lethality are reduced, and the infectivity and immunogenicity are enhanced.
The mutation of the new coronavirus will produce mutant strains that are more infectious and have a lower mortality rate. The final evolved strain is similar to a vaccine, not only does not cause disease, but also inhibits disease variant.
The mutation of random RNA virus that looks like random is actually changed by the change of environment and natural conditions, and has a certain direction. After two years of global anti-epidemic, the natural climate and environment have changed, which is not conducive to the production of more virulent new coronavirus variants.
So far, deltacron scientists have not found the new variant to be as severe as previous coronaviruses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) There are no changes compared to variants.
According to the current data, “deltacron” (deltacron) has appeared in January, but at present, “Omicron” still dominates the world, it can be seen that “deltacron” (deltacron) ) is not a super variant. According to the law of the virus pandemic, mutant strains with higher infectivity and lower mortality rate will appear in the near future, and it is less likely to appear a super variant with strong infectivity and toxicity. .
How to protect yourself?
The new coronavirus pandemic is not over yet, and it is very important to continue to do personal protection. In addition to frequent handwashing, social distancing and other epidemic prevention measures, infection can be prevented by changing the small environment around them and improving the immune system in the body.
Sleep well
The function of the immune system is played during sleep at night. During sleep, immune cells such as macrophages can function well It can kill and eliminate the “Omicron” that invades the body, remove the metabolic waste in the body, and keep the body healthy.
Eat a good meal
Maintain a reasonable diet and adequate nutrition to ensure sufficient physical strength and good immunity. Good nutrition is the foundation for the body to maintain immunity.
Hygiene
Wear masks, wash hands frequently, maintain a social distance of 2 meters and other measures, and increase the height and thickness of the “defense wall” to reduce infection.
Experts in this article: Du Wenmin, MD, chief pharmacist, professor, director and adjunct professor of Pharmacovigilance and Drug Evaluation Center, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, adjunct professor of Fudan University, director of Canadian Holistic Medical Treatment Center
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