A study published in the journal Nature points out that the wide transmission of Covid-19 in Brazil has made Latin America the epicenter of the pandemic. The high number of deaths and cases of the disease also led to the emergence of variants that spread across the region, such as Gama.
In an interview with CNN Radio , the infectious disease specialist at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Julio Croda explained the importance of genetic sequencing of the virus, to indicate possible mutations. “It is important to monitor the emergence of new variants, because, in the future, we will have to adapt to them and incorporate them into the vaccine composition”, argues the professor.
Through a partnership with the Butantan Institute, the study analyzed 20,000 samples of Covid-19. It was possible to conclude that, at the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil, most of the strains came from Europe. However, between late 2020 and early 2021, new variants of the virus began to emerge within the country.
“In Latin America, the main variant was the gamma, responsible for the worst moment of the pandemic”, says Croda. Other Latin American countries also accommodated the emergence of subvariants, but had a smaller impact.
The researcher recalls that vaccines are largely responsible for the drop in the number of Covid cases and deaths in the world.
Croda emphasizes the importance of investing in the updating of immunizations, and incorporating medications that reduce the risk of death.
“It has an antiviral and modulator approved by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) and by Conitec (National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies in the Unified Health System). To date, we do not have these medications available to treat patients at higher risk of hospitalization and death”, he argues.
* Under supervision of Joyce Murasaki
Source: CNN Brasil
