The world is talking of the virus which is new to the human species, hence COVID19 does not need an introduction. It has become so prominent in our lives that post-dialing the numbers of our loved ones, COVID19 stands at the forefront of discussion. I am sure that you will agree to it!
Where do new viruses come from? Do you have an idea of 'Spillover infection'?
The term 'coronavirus' was coined keeping in mind, the crown-like protein spikes on the membranes of the virus. The spikes are selectively sticky but becomes more sticky when they bump onto specific molecules found on the outsides of animal cells.
Different animal species have different types of molecules on the outsides of their cells. Because of this, bird infecting coronavirus usually cannot infect humans.
Unfortunately, the natural process of 'Evolution' can help the virus overcome this problem.
Timeline and its origin:
The term 'coronavirus' was coined keeping in mind, the crown-like protein spikes on the membranes of the virus. The spikes are selectively sticky but becomes more sticky when they bump onto specific molecules found on the outsides of animal cells.
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| The crown-shaped spike protein on the virus membrane |
Unfortunately, the natural process of 'Evolution' can help the virus overcome this problem.
When virus genes are being copied during reproduction, mutations can occur either by error or recombination and re-assortment.
Mutation that changes the shape of the viral spikes renders the virus useless as their spikes do not stick to any host cells. On rare occasions, a mutation may happen to allow a virus to attach to a new host species. If that modified virus is lucky enough to encounter the new host, 'infection' can occur. This is called 'Spillover infection'. The virus has spilled over into a new host.
What happens next?
Inside the new host, if the virus can survive and reproduce long enough, natural selection will promote any new mutations that will help it better spread and reproduce.
Positive mutations will help accumulate over multiple generations, negative ones are discarded until...
BOOOOM! A new epidemic is on the news.
There is a long and slow burn before the explosion (Slowly evolving spillovers have been the cause of almost every major outbreaks in history).
Timeline and its origin:
SARS virus - In early 2000s, a coronavirus that used to infect only bats appears to have spilled over into civets. Further mutation happened and the modified virus spilled over into humans known as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
MERS virus - A coronavirus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus) from camels also spilled over into humans causing many deaths.
COVID-19 might just be one more example of 'Normal Evolution'.
The entire world is now connected through international flights, you realize that What happens in Vegas does not actually stays in Vegas.
Comments are most welcome.
Comments are most welcome.
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