Tourists returning this summer from Spain would be the potential "culprits" of the transmission of the virus of Covid. It is, it needs to be clarified, of the genetic mutation of the original strain, which would have manifested itself in Spain. This was announced by a study that will be published in the next few days and which is already causing discussion. In fact, many Italians and Europeans went to Spain in the summer. And therefore, if the research were established, it would still make an important contribution to the study of this pandemic. And in particular of this second wave which is causing great concern.
Second wave in Europe, the genetic mutation
At the base of the diffusion of the virus in this second wave, however, there would be a genetic mutation. To reveal the researchers. The mutation would have originated in Spain and then transmitted to other countries, in this case European, by tourists returning from holidays. The international team of researchers analyzed the genetic mutations, trying to re-establish where the spread started. The outbreak would have been among Spanish agricultural workers.
The variant of the virus in this second wave
The research, which is expected to be published on Thursday, identified the variant of the virus called 20A.EU1. and according to scientists, most of the new cases of Covid-19 that is spreading in this second wave and in the various countries go back to this mutation. In addition, more than 80% of cases registered in the UK also refer to this variant.
Many mutations and variants, but the first was the most contagious
This research relating to the second wave is added to the other studies carried out in recent months. Research to try to understand the different variants. In particular, the first mutation fully studied is the one that distinguishes the original Chinese strain from the European one. In practice, the virus arrived in Germany in the winter and then in Italy. And from studies this variant would still be more contagious. The viral load of this variant would increase, in particular, in the upper respiratory tract of patients with Covid and therefore could increase transmission.
How the new variant was broadcast
The data of the diffusion of this variant that has developed in Spain would leave no doubt. In fact, the variant accounted for more than eight out of 10 cases in the UK, 80% of cases in Spain, 60% in Ireland and up to 40% in Switzerland and France. According to when explained in the research, the "risky behavior of vacationers in Spain has contributed to the spread of the new variant". "From the spread of 20A.EU1 - said Emma Hodcroft, evolutionary geneticist at the University of Basel and head of the study - it seems clear that the virus prevention measures in place were often not sufficient to stop the transmission of the variants introduced. summer".
