Why do viruses mutate? Should we be worried about coronavirus mutations?

In recent weeks, the covid-19 pandemic has experienced a worrying update around the world, including Spain; This situation is not only based on the increase in infections after the Christmas holidays and the impact on hospital emergency services, but we must also take into account the appearance of new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from Great Britain. (known for several weeks now), South Africa and the Brazilian Amazon (more recent appearance), which already register cases in our country. It also appears that the infection rate derived from these strains is higher than what is already known.

Copies of the virus with nuances

It is a fact that virus replication is an almost perfect copying process, but it does not generate identical individuals, but rather mutated ones, with altered genetic sequences. More than photocopies, they are like the manual copies of great painters, with slight variations on the original; In this case and instead of raising admiration among art lovers, these differences generate enormous concern throughout the world, also being at the beginning of the vaccination process. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that new versions of viruses have the ability to adapt to new environments and become more resistant to the body's own fight or to possible remedies in the form of vaccines or medications. There is a viral evolution; The strongest survive more or better, and there are even changes in the transmission and gravity generated in the invaded bodies.

The WHO explains, however, that the mutations of SARS-CoV-2 (the one that causes covid-19) are slow; In fact, it has an internal error correction mechanism that acts during replication, and slows it down. Mutations are normal in all viruses, but in this case the concern is logical. In any case, the best way to limit or suppress the transmission of the disease is to protect yourself and others, maintaining the use of masks, social distancing and extreme hygiene in any public place and, given that the majority of People and their cohabitants are not isolated, even at home.

Monitoring of mutations from the WHO

Several groups of researchers have sequenced SARS-CoV-2 and shared the sequences in public databases. Thanks to this global collaboration, scientists can better monitor the virus and the changes it undergoes. It is known that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted mainly between people, although there have also been infections between humans and animals, with a special impact on minks. In addition, WHO collaborates in this field with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health.