India’s Covid-19 surge highlights threat of mutations, experts say
- Scientists are trying to understand what is driving the spike in cases and how much it has to do with a variant of the virus known as a ‘double mutant’
- But ‘just because a strain is potentially more infectious doesn’t mean that it is going to cause more Covid-19’, infectious disease expert says
The crisis emerged swiftly in recent weeks even after India’s health minister said last month that the country was in the “end game” of its battle with the disease. Scientists are trying to understand what is driving the surge and how much it has to do with a variant of the virus that has been dubbed a “double mutant”.
About a dozen mutations distinguish this strain from the original but it won the tag for carrying two worrying mutations seen elsewhere. The strain, known to scientists as B.1.617, was first identified in India in October and has since been found in at least 19 other countries.
Mutations happen naturally as viruses spread, but in recent months some have emerged to make Covid-19 more transmissible or more able to dodge immune defences.
01:37
105-year-old Indian man and 95-year-old wife beat Covid-19
Health experts have said there is not yet enough data to know for certain whether B.1.617 fits this bill and what role it is playing in the latest surge.