New mutation of Covid-19 detected in Bulgaria (update)

For the first time in Bulgaria, a UK variant of the coronavirus with a mutation similar to the Brazilian one was detected, the director of the National Centrer for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev told BNT on May 20.

The combination is extremely rare. It may be more contagious and unresponsive to vaccines.

The new variant has been detected only in one person, an 80 year old man from Sofia, who contracted the virus at the end of April and died after severe illness.

"We assume that the mutation occurred spontaneously. It was not introduced from outside. Only 10 samples were found worldwide. 6 of the samples are from the United States. The rest are in Germany, Italy and Lithuania," said Assoc. Prof. Ivan Ivanov - head of the laboratory at the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.

For the time being, it is clear that the new mutation attaches more firmly to the cells.

"There are reports that it is more dangerous. The fact that it occurs in many places at the same time is unlikely to have anything to do with epidemiological spread," added Assoc. Prof. Ivan Ivanov.

Antibodies from vaccinated and people who recovered after having been ill with Covid-19 are less effective against the new mutation.

The virus disguises itself against them so that it is not recognized," said Assoc. Prof. Ivan Ivanov.

Only the UK variant of the virus is currently circulating in Bulgaria, Assoc. Prof. Ivanov said. His team continues to look for variants of the coronavirus. Some samples are sent abroad.