WHO - Mutant virus "Mu strain" - confirmed in Japan for the first time - "it could affect vaccines"

Recently NHK News On-line reported the following:

変異ウイルス「ミュー株」国内初確認 “ワクチンに影響も”WHO

2021年9月2日 12時33分

ことし7月にかけて空港の検疫所で新型コロナウイルスの検査を受けて陽性と確認された2人が、WHO＝世界保健機関が「注目すべき変異株」に指定した変異ウイルスの「ミュー株」に感染していたことが分かりました。国内で確認されたのは初めてです。

変異ウイルスの「ミュー株」は南米やヨーロッパで報告され、WHOは先月30日、ワクチンの効果や感染力に影響を与える可能性などがある「VOI＝注目すべき変異株」に位置づけました。

厚生労働省が、検疫の検査で採取された検体について遺伝子解析の結果をさかのぼって調べたところ

▽ことし6月26日にUAE＝アラブ首長国連邦から成田空港に到着した40代の女性と

▽7月5日にイギリスから羽田空港に到着した50代の女性の2人が

ミュー株に感染していたことが分かったということです。

国内でミュー株への感染が判明したのは初めてで、国立感染症研究所の脇田隆字所長は「さまざまな変異ウイルスが出てくるが従来のウイルスを押しのけて拡大する状況があれば注意が必要で、情報を集めていく必要がある」としています。

WHOによりますと、ミュー株はワクチンの効果に影響を与える可能性があると指摘されていて、ことし1月にコロンビアで初めて確認されて以降、30か国以上で感染が報告されています。

加藤官房長官「変異株の動向を監視」

加藤官房長官は、2日午前の記者会見で「WHO＝世界保健機関によると『ミュー株』の変異には、ワクチンへの影響がある可能性が示唆されているが、さらなる調査が必要とされているところだ」と述べました。

そのうえで「引き続き情報収集をしっかり行い、検疫で陽性が判明した検体全例について、国立感染症研究所でゲノム解析を実施する。また、国内におけるゲノムサーベイランスにより変異株の動向を監視し、海外における感染動向も踏まえながら、水際対策においても不断の見直しを行っていきたい」と述べました。

Translation

It was found out that up to July this year, two people who were tested positive for the new coronavirus at the airport quarantine station were infect by a mutant virus "Mu strain" that was designated as "notable mutants" by WHO = World Health Organization. This is the first confirmation in Japan.

The mutant virus "Mu strain" had been reported in South America and Europe, and on the 30th of last month, WHO ranked it as a "VOI = variants of interest" as it may affect vaccine effectiveness and infectivity.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare retroactively examined the results of genetic analysis on samples collected during quarantine inspection had just been carried out:

▽ a woman in her 40s who arrived at Narita Airport from UAE = United Arab Emirates on June 26th this year, and

▽ two women in their 50s who arrived at Haneda Airport from England on July 5

It turned out that they were infected with the Mu strain.

This is the first time that an infection with a Mu strain was found in Japan, and Takaji Wakita (脇田隆字), director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, said, "Various mutant viruses will appear, but be careful if there is a situation where the conventional virus is pushed away and spread out; and we need to collect the information. "

According to the WHO, the Mu strain could affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, and since it was first confirmed in Colombia in January, infections had been reported in more than 30 countries.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato to "Monitor the Trends of Mutant Strains"

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference on the morning of the 2^nd that "WHO = World Health Organization had suggested that mutations in the 'Mu strain' might have an effect on vaccines, further investigation would be needed and is being carried out. "

After that, it was said that, "We will continue to collect information diligently and carry out genome analysis at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases for all specimens that are found positive during the quarantine. In addition, on domestic mutant strains, to monitor the trends by genome surveillance; while taking into account overseas infection trends we would like to constantly review the border measures".

              So, the mutant virus "Mu strain" has been ranked by WHO as a "VOI = mutant strain needs attention" as it may affect vaccine effectiveness and infectivity. I am wondering if this could post a new challenge to the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers.