Mutation found in MERS virus from outbreak in Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 11, 2016, 09:22 Updated : January 11, 2016, 09:22

[Photo by Namkung Jin-woong]



The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus which caused an outbreak in Korea leaving 187 people infected had gone through a mutation which could have affected the virus’ fatality rate.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC) on Friday, virus collected from bodily fluid taken from eight infected people, showed a slight variation in spike glycoprotein compared to previous MERS cases.

Spike glycoprotein is a key part for a virus to attack and penetrate a living human cell, then multiplicating itself to repeat the process, causing organ failures and other symptoms.

KCDC official said it is certain that a mutation has taken place, but whether the mutation has altered the virus’ capability of making people sick and spreading, is in doubt.

MERS was first confirmed on May 20, and the nation’s health authority declared Korea MERS-free on December 23. The outbreak left a total of 187 people infected, among them 28 lives were claimed.

The outbreak caused social fear which caused sell-outs of personal masks and hygiene products. Some schools were closed down and crowd-drawing events like local festivals were called off to prevent possible disease spreading.

아주경제 박세진 기자 = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기