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A Moroccan variant of the new coronavirus has appeared in Ouarzazate, according to a forthcoming study conducted by a group of Moroccan researchers which looked at the strains of the coronavirus in the country and the measures taken to deal with the pandemic.
This strain, called «B.1.528» according to the study, which «appeared for the first time in Ouarzazate, can be classified as a 100% Moroccan genome, pending the determination of its biological characteristics», Professor Azeddine Ibrahimi reported on Sunday.
The director of the biotechnology laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat and member of the National Scientific Committee for Covid-19 reported «the emergence of 25 Moroccan mutations».
«This is why we have always insisted on the fact that the replication of the virus inevitably leads to the emergence of local mutations which occur automatically in the presence of the genetic conditions of their development», he explained. The expert also said, citing the study, the presence of «28 new variants» in Morocco, including the Nigerian variant, but reassures about the absence of the South African one.
In his post, Professor Azeddine Ibrahimi discussed the epidemiological situation before comparing it to the genomic situation of the Covid-19 variants in Morocco. «Today, everyone is wondering what we are going to do as Ramadan starts soon. I think what we have to ask from a scientific point of view is : what will we do in the coming months?», he said.
The British variant «will prevail in Morocco in a few weeks»
The member of the National Scientific Committee for Covid-19 adds that the epidemiological situation «is almost stable due to the positive effects of the vaccination of large vulnerable groups», «the characteristics of the age pyramid» as well as the fact that approximately «30% of Moroccans have been infected» by Covid-19.
Professor Azeddine Ibrahimi said on the other hand that «the genomic state of the viral strains in Morocco calls for a lot of caution and vigilance». «The danger comes from the appearance of mutated strains», he warned. The expert indicates that «the analysis of the genome of the first British strain that entered Morocco in January made it possible to follow its spread, despite the difficulty of determining the exact proportion of British strains, all indicators suggest that it has exceeded the threshold of 15% and the beginning of its exponential propagation».
«This strain will prevail in Morocco in a few weeks, and the most dangerous thing is its rapid spread and its contagion, which can challenge our health system and push us to vaccinate under the pressure of the mutated virus», he regretted.
«After analyzing the genomic sequences of the strains that appeared in Dakhla, which was carried out by our laboratory in cooperation with the National Institute of Hygiene and which proved that it is the British strain, this variant reached the furthest point from Morocco characterized by a low population density. It inevitably exists in all regions of Morocco».
The professor affirms that the situation is «almost epidemiologically stable, but genetically worrying». «We are still at least a month behind Europe in epidemiological and genomic terms, which calls for a great deal of caution in this critical stage of the confrontation with Covid-19, especially since our vaccination process was not completed yet and is still at the mercy of the international vaccine market», he wrote.
In this sense, he pleads for the maintenance of restrictive measures during the month of Ramadan and a reduction in measures after Aid El-Fitr and a lifting of restrictions by Aid El-Adha.
