The coronavirus variant has the same spike protein mutation as the South African strain, leading to fears vaccines may not be as effective.
Public Health England has confirmed at least 38 cases of a new Covid strain which was first detected in Nigeria.
The strain has been labelled a “variant under investigation” by PHE, following fears the vaccines could be less effective against it, as with the South African variant found in Teesside. But PHE insists there is not any evidence that the Nigerian strain spreads faster or is more deadly than other variants.
The strain carries the E484K mutation to spike protein, similar to the South African variant. The spike is believed to help coronavirus dodge immunity and antibodies.
What is the Nigerian coronavirus strain?
The B1525 strain of coronavirus was first detected in Nigeria in December. This week, researchers confirmed the variant is in the UK, with Public Health England saying at least 38 cases have been identified. According to the University of Edinburgh, more than 100 cases have been recorded around the world. It is highly likely there are many more which have not been detected.
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Is the Nigerian variant more dangerous?
Further research is required to conclude if the strain is more dangerous than other variants, but PHE has labelled it as a strain which is “under investigation.”
However, PHE says there is no evidence that the Nigerian variant is more harmful than other strains, but it contains the same protein mutation – E484K – as the South African variant. The spike could help the strain fight immunity built up in people exposed to previous forms of the virus, or who have been vaccinated.
Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said: “There is currently no evidence that this set of mutations causes more severe illness or increased transmissibility.
