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We continue to sequence virus strains in Sri Lanka: Prof Malavige

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24 December 2020 12:50 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The virus strains in Sri Lanka are continued to be sequenced in order to pick up unusual sequences and to pick up possible new introductions from other countries, Prof. Neelika Malavige, Head of Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Director of the Centre for Dengue Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura said.

“Our laboratory has been continuously sequencing the viral strains in Sri Lanka to find out if there are any significant changes,” she told Daily Mirror.

“We have sequenced the strains up to the end of November and nothing new has been found so far. It is the same strain that was identified in early October that was seen spreading to different areas by the end of November,” she pointed out.

Commenting on the new virus strain in UK, Prof. Malavige said the new UK strain has several mutations in certain viral proteins and added it was not a surprise as all viruses do mutate with time. “All organisms do, as that is how they evolve,” she said.

“According to the early studies done by UK scientists, this new strain appears to be more transmissible than previous strains. But it is not more virulent (does not cause more severe illness). They are of course doing more experiments to see if it in fact is more transmissible and any other implications regarding this strain,” she added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 18

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  • Rajitha Perera Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:22 PM

    J'pura university has gone a tremendous job in carrying out research on Covid-19 virus. All the very best for future endeavors. Cheers..

    Covid 20 Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:32 PM

    Can't they sequence the big virruses in the parliament?

    Christian Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:48 PM

    It is a pity they obviously don't pass their expertise to the government about burying Covid19 victims, so they can continue their inhuman, criminal mandatory cremations

    John Dias Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:25 PM

    Government must make sure that newly detected virus strain in UK is not enter Sri Lanka because if it come so, it would be an alarming and dangerous situation as alerted by experts like her and her team. So, don't find political advantage but execute effective plans.

    Brugge Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:40 PM

    Its not more dangerous its faster spreading only from human to human.. so long we dont have a medicine the virus will mutate.. positive news is that the vacine is coming 2021..

    Selvakumar Thursday, 24 December 2020 02:04 PM

    In sriblanka everything political, !!!

    Sinna Thursday, 24 December 2020 03:33 PM

    That group of corona patients with no empathy, split through Windows till reaching destination, might like to have new variety,

    Selvakumar Thursday, 24 December 2020 01:40 PM

    Prfo, you have to follow coronavaccine UK scientists research methods, I thing only new virus problem only so far in UK but UK scientists explain about this cases not worry about this cases every things under control, still new virus research is going on !!!

    Ranaweera Thursday, 24 December 2020 02:05 PM

    How can a government ensure virus does not enter Sri Lanka. This is a stupid expectation. The virus does not enter by itself. It is carried on by parties who even do not know that they are carrying it. There is no xray scanner to see if the person is carrying it. It will be through some lengthy testing you will vote to know. That also is possible only after some time after a person entered the country.

    No Scientists in Sri Lanka Thursday, 24 December 2020 02:18 PM

    There are no proper scientists in Sri Lanka. All the “experts” in Sri Lanka are doctors with misleading titles that makes others to think that they are scientists. In all honesty in Sri Lanka there is no proper expert to talk about Cornavirus. If I am wrong check the Sri Lankan Experts via Wikipedia and you would be shocked to see that they are all just medical doctors. Is the President aware of this ?

    Moulan Thursday, 24 December 2020 02:24 PM

    I'm surprised if Banana Republic have technology or Brain to sequence virus.

    Sam Miller Thursday, 24 December 2020 03:02 PM

    Awesome, similarly it could be identified the origin of second wave as other countries already having gnome sequences

    CharmD Thursday, 24 December 2020 03:09 PM

    I saw another news that Sri Lanka don’t have the sufficient sequencing equipment to evaluate this enough. The virus can mutate anywhere, it doesn’t have to be the UK or SA that SL gets it from, it can change in-country, so it is important to ramp up the sequencing facilities to detect the variations swiftly. UK (8th in world for sequencing capability) found it by sequencing 7% of cases and that also took a while. SL should utilise the grants offered to purchase such equipment maximally. DM I hope you publish my comment.

    Hood.mas Thursday, 24 December 2020 03:49 PM

    Our country should make more research in this aspect. Prior to every step the sri lankan air and sea border should be sealed like many countries. If the new virus straint is detected in Singapore it is because of their advanced medical system, which is not available in Sri Lanka and India, so we are more prone to the new strain or we may have it already. So the best way is to keep the border shut for sometime.

    kumudu Thursday, 24 December 2020 03:51 PM

    Dear Neelika, you're one of the very few people of mother lanka who's doing an exceptional job to serve and take the country forward. Really appreciate your hard work and great humbleness. Best wishes!!

    SANATH PERERA Thursday, 24 December 2020 11:56 PM

    No Scientists in Sri Lanka ? Most scientists doing medical research are medical doctors too. The husband and wife inventors of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, Drs. Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci are physicians and immunologists. So is Prof. Neelika Malavige.

    Retired Physics School Teacher Friday, 25 December 2020 04:39 AM

    Samath Perera, Simply because in the third world countries the doctors are doing “research” does not mean they are proper Scientists. Collecting already known facts and putting them together is called “research” in the third world. This is why the third world would remain in its third world position forever.

    kelum srimal Friday, 25 December 2020 08:15 AM

    Hi Prof Do you know what coronavirus mutation is.


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