In response to the spread of the new mutated coronavirus, which is said to be highly infectious, in the United Kingdom, the impact is further spreading, such as stopping the acceptance of passenger aircraft from the United Kingdom in Europe and other countries around the world. ..
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, it has not been confirmed in Japan so far, but experts say, "It is necessary to consider countermeasures on the assumption that it will eventually enter Japan."
In the United Kingdom, in response to the spread of the new coronavirus mutated in the southeastern part including the capital London, strict infection countermeasures such as restrictions on going out in this area were introduced from the 20th.
In response to this, in Europe, countries such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have decided to stop accepting passenger planes from the United Kingdom, and France and Belgium will also stop accepting railroads and ferries. ..
In addition, the EU-European Union will hold an urgent meeting of experts on the 21st to discuss the current situation and future measures.
In addition to this, Iran has decided to suspend international flights to the United Kingdom for two weeks, and according to Reuters, Argentina and Chile in South America have also announced that they will suspend international flights to the United Kingdom. I am.
Hong Kong has also banned anyone who has stayed in the UK for more than 2 hours within 14 days from 22nd to enter Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Germany's health minister, Sparn, said he had talked with experts about the mutated virus and said it had "no effect on the vaccine."
Mutant virus not confirmed in Japan
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, which is analyzing the genes for the new coronavirus, no mutated virus has been confirmed in the United Kingdom so far.
Also confirmed in Denmark Netherlands Australia
WHO = World Health Organization's technical director for the new coronavirus appeared on the BBC program on the British public broadcaster on the 20th, and the same mutated virus was confirmed in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Australia in addition to the United Kingdom. It was revealed that it was done.
Mr. Bankerkov said, "The mutation of the virus itself can always occur. The important thing is to understand what will happen with this mutation." He said that it is necessary to identify the characteristics of the mutated virus.
In addition, the Italian government announced on the 20th that it will ban the acceptance of passenger planes from the United Kingdom and also ban the entry of travelers who have stayed in the United Kingdom for the past 14 days.
We have already called on people who have entered Italy from the United Kingdom to inspect, and since it has been confirmed that one person has been infected with the mutated new coronavirus, we will quarantine and investigate close contacts such as family members. It is said that you are doing.
Expert "Take measures on the premise that you will enter Japan someday"
Regarding the report of a new type of coronavirus mutated in the United Kingdom, Professor Yoshiharu Matsuura of Osaka University, the chairman of the Japanese Society of Virology, said, "I have confirmed the British paper, but the" spike protein "is a stepping stone when the virus is infected." Mutations have been found in. RNA viruses such as the new coronavirus are characterized by mutating one after another, and it is common for more viruses to mutate and become more infectious. " ..
On the other hand,
there is currently no data showing that
this mutation has
any effect on the severity of symptoms or the effectiveness of the vaccine, Professor Matsuura said, "If the vaccine currently being developed cannot prevent it. It's a problem, but that's going to be researched soon, and it's still unclear if it's become more toxic. I think it's better to watch carefully rather than panic. " I have.
"These mutations will continue to emerge. The UK may have chosen lockdown with caution because of the discovery of the mutated virus. Japan will eventually enter the country. It is necessary to think about countermeasures on the premise that. "
What is a virus mutation?
When the new coronavirus infects humans, it increases in number by copying the RNA of the gene one after another in human cells.
At this time, in rare cases, a mistake may occur in the copied genetic information, and suddenly a part of the RNA sequence may be missing or replaced, which is called "mutation".
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, these mutations appear to occur about once every two weeks in the new coronavirus, and it has been confirmed that several mutations have occurred in the viruses found in Japan so far. It means that it has been done.
Mutations in parts of a gene usually do not significantly change the characteristics or properties of the virus.
However, by chance, if a mutation occurs in a place related to the nature of the virus in the gene, or if a large number of mutations are accumulated
, it may become easy to get infected or the
symptoms may become severe.
Previous studies have suggested that the nature of the "spiked protein," a protrusion on the surface of the virus that provides a foothold for the new coronavirus to enter cells, affects infectivity, and that mutations occur in the gene that produces this protein. , Infectivity may change.
In a study released last month by a group such as the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo,
▽ the new corona virus reported in Wuhan, China and
▽
one of the genes of "spiked protein"
in European viruses that are currently spreading all over the world.
The parts are different, and in experiments using hamsters, European strains were more susceptible to flying infections.
However, in this experiment, there was no change in the severity of symptoms or the response to antibodies.
It is thought that if the worldwide spread of the new coronavirus increases the chances of the virus infecting humans and multiplying, the risk of gene mutations will increase, and research institutes in each country will analyze the genetic information of the virus. I am wary of such things.
Traffic between Japan and the United Kingdom
The government currently denies entry to the United Kingdom and does not allow new entry unless there are special circumstances.
Cases where entry from the UK is permitted are:
▽ Japanese and foreigners with medium- to long-term status of residence, who are required to have a virus test and wait at home for 14 days.
In addition,
if a Japanese or foreigner living in Japan makes a short-term business trip to the UK within 7 days, they will be exempted from waiting for 14 days under certain conditions when returning to or entering the country.