Scientists are concerned that the rapidly spreading Delta variant could lead to the emergence of new, more dangerous variants of SARS-CoV-2 that transmit more easily.
In the context of a largely unvaccinated global population, experts warn that the Delta variant may continue to mutate, according to The Hill.
Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., stated: “Fortunately, right now, the Covid-19 vaccine is still working very effectively to protect us from severe illness and death.”
“However, a major concern is that the next variant could emerge; with just a few mutations, this virus may become resistant to the vaccine,” Walensky noted.
As SARS-CoV-2 spreads, the virus replicates its genetic material to infect more cells. During this process, that material sometimes mutates compared to the original strain.
Scientists are concerned that the rapidly spreading Delta variant could lead to the emergence of new mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2. (Photo: RFI)
Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, mentioned that this virus mutates randomly but at a consistent rate.
However, “it is very, very rare” for the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 to mutate to a degree that provides an advantage over previous variants.
Professor Pekosz stated that it is “extremely difficult to predict” when these mutations will occur, and the likelihood of new variants emerging increases in areas where the virus can spread easily.
“Until we ensure that the virus cannot replicate freely in any community around the world, there will always be a chance for SARS-CoV-2 mutations to arise,” the expert remarked.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently classifies four variants of SARS-CoV-2 as particularly concerning: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Among these, Delta is becoming the dominant variant globally.
