What is the propagation power of ‘Omicron’? Can it be prevented with current vaccines?

[앵커]

Now, let’s take a closer look at the omicron mutant virus in question.

Reporter Lee Seung-jae is here.

So far, we’ve been talking a lot about the delta mutant virus.

What is the difference between that and the Omicron discovered this time?

[기자]

Corona 19 enters the human body as a protein in the shape of a bump.

Omicron has an additional 32 gene mutations in the dendritic protein.

This is twice as many as the number of gene variants for delta mutations.

[앵커]

Because there are so many, there is talk of a stronger radio wave.

[기자]

It cannot be concluded that the transmission power is strong just because there are many mutations, and there is a limit to understanding the current information.

However, so far, it is estimated that the propagation power is considerable.

look at this graph,

It can be seen that the propagation power is higher than that of other mutations in a short period of time.

It is analyzed that the fatality rate has not yet been shown to be high.

[앵커]

So, is this omicron mutant virus effective in preventing the current vaccine?

[기자]

It takes at least two weeks to know this,

This is because it takes a period of time to experiment with the response effect of vaccines or therapeutics.

Until research results are available, it is important to prevent the rapid spread of omicron around the world as much as possible.

[앵커]

Omicron says we need to see more. Then, the mutated viruses that came out before Omicron, the things Bettany Deltani did, these things had vaccine effects.

[기자]

Yes, vaccines that have been released so far have been proven to prevent mutation,

It would be nice to be able to prevent Omicron as well.

Otherwise, the existing vaccine will have to be adjusted to respond to Omicron, which is expected to take more than three months.

[앵커]

How are government authorities preparing?

[기자]

Yes, we have entered an emergency meeting with the relevant ministries two hours ago.

After the meeting, the risk assessment and response plan will be announced.

We are analyzing mutations in Africans, but Omicron has not been confirmed in Korea.

Currently, measures such as suspending flights to countries in South Africa such as South Africa, such as the UK and Singapore, or restricting inbound travelers from those countries are being considered.

Video Editing: Chan-Eui Han/Graphics: Chang-Jun Choi and Jeong-Hyun Kim