Compared with related viruses from 2018 and 2019, the current monkeypox virus shows about 50 mutations. This is about six to 12 times more than expected, which may indicate an accelerated development. The study, conducted by the Institute Nacional de Side d. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) from Lisbon.
The virus adapts quickly
Researchers believe that human enzymes are partly responsible for the current mutations. However, they found no evidence to suggest that mutations could explain the current outbreak. So far, experts have assumed a slow development of the virus compared, for example, to the coronavirus.
Approximately 5,000 cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed worldwide. The virus has already been detected in forty countries where the virus was almost non-existent until May. According to the CDC, 3,308 cases have been registered. According to WHO figures, there are 1,600 more infections in eight African countries that have experienced such outbreaks for years.
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