Coronavirus: US detects first cases of potent South African variant
- The two new infections are especially concerning to health authorities amid reports that vaccines are less effective against this particular strain
- The cases, found in South Carolina, appear to be unrelated, and neither patient has a travel history that would account for the infection
The United States has found its first cases of a potent coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa, health officials in the state of South Carolina said on Thursday.
Viruses mutate frequently, and several mutated viruses have been identified. The presence of the South African variant in the United States is especially concerning because several laboratory studies have shown that it reduces vaccine effectiveness.
Another concern, according to the nominee for US surgeon general, is that the South African variant could require larger doses of antibody for treatment.
“The thing that’s troublesome now that we really need to keep our eye on are these variants,” Anthony Fauci, the leading US infectious disease specialist, said in an interview on MSNBC. “The one that is of greater concern and that really could be problematic is the mutant that is now dominant in South Africa.”
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So far, vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech appear protective against this variant of the coronavirus, despite the weaker response. The companies this week said they are considering making new versions of their shots just in case. Moderna also plans to test giving a third shot of its vaccine to bolster antibody levels.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that it is aware of the cases and noted that there is no evidence the variant causes more severe disease.