Experts comment on the mysterious gradual disappearance of the Delta variant in Japan

Professor Ituro Inoue said that the Delta variant accumulates too many mutations in the nsp14 protein, which will cause the virus to lose its self-correcting function in the gene and go to self-destruct.

The fifth wave of infections caused by the Delta variant in Japan has come to an abrupt end, confusing some scientists, while others suggest that a mutation capable of causing the virus to self-destruct has led to this story.

The most serious wave of infections in Japan caused by the Delta variant peaked in August, with more than 23,000 new Covid-19 cases per day. However, this number has dropped below 170 cases a day in recent weeks, with days without a single death, according to RT station.

Many people think that the reason for the decrease in infections is due to high vaccination rates, people's compliance with epidemic prevention measures and other factors, but some researchers think this is an extremely rare case. especially compared to other countries.

According to Ituro Inoue, a professor at the National Institute of Genetics of Japan, the Delta variant in this country accumulates too many mutations in the non-structural protein with the function of genetic error correction called nsp14, causing the virus to gradually lose its function. self-correcting genes and eventually self-destruction.

Mr. Inoue believes that Japan has been very fortunate to have seen the Delta variant eliminate other variants before eradicating itself.

A medical facility treating patients infected with Covid-19 in Japan. (Photo: REUTERS).

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has a very high mutation rate, which helps them quickly adapt to changes in the environment. However, this also opens another door in favor of humans, as the mutations overgrow and stack up causing the complete extinction of the virus.

"We were surprised to find this. The Delta variant in Japan is highly infectious and dwarfs the other variants. However, we believe that as more and more mutations emerge, the virus is faulty. and lost the ability to self-replicate. Since the number of infections did not increase, we think that during the mutation, SARS-CoV-2 disappeared on its own due to the loss of its ability to reproduce "- Mr. Inoue explained.

Professor Inoue's hypothesis could also help explain why the SARS epidemic suddenly ended in 2003. When conducting experiments, the scientists created artificial mutations in the nsp14 protein of the SARS virus. The results showed that the virus stopped replicating itself.

A complete disappearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on its own is likely in other countries, although detection may be more difficult because nowhere is the nsp14 protein more likely to have mutations than in Japan.

Professor Inoue said similar viral mutations were also detected in at least 24 other countries. He and his team are expected to publish a paper detailing their findings by the end of November.

According to Professor Inoue, even if the theory of the natural self-destruction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is confirmed, it will only be a 'temporary salvation' for the Japanese people.

He believes that new, more dangerous variants can still emerge and enter the country, despite Japan's quarantine and immigration control measures, RT reported.