Recombination among RNA viruses is well-known to science and something that can lead to unforeseen variants..
This occurs when different variants of the COVID -19 virus swap chunks of genetic material when they reproduce.
.The process is well understood but the implications for public health are unclear.
.Recombination can bring together mutations that occurred in different variants of Covid-19.
.
These new combinations of Covid may create new and lethal strains..
We have seen the Natural Covid -19 then Alpha, Delta and now Omicron as the main variants of concern but there are dozens of variants known as Variants of Interest that are being closely watched.
.
Early on in the pandemic, research suggested recombination
likely played a role in SARS-CoV-2’s emergence as a human disease.
.
Most efforts thus far have focused on surveillance and figuring out
what it may mean for viral evolution.
.
.Virology is a complicated area of science but one that has led to amazing breakthroughs in vaccines known as mRNA vaccines.
.
An incredible amount of research is happening around the world so breakthroughs will be reported often along with issues created by new variants such as Omicron.
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/plenty-of-evidence-for-recombination-in-sars-cov-2-69156
