ISLAMABAD: A team of scientists at the National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-I-Azam University, have unearthed the reasons behind lower COVID-19 infection rates in Pakistan during the pandemic’s initial phase.
The team led by Professor. Dr. Amir Ali Abbasi carried out a detailed genetic probe, analyzing 203 samples of the COVID-19 virus in Pakistan.
Despite neighboring and European nations facing higher mortality rates, Pakistan showed resilience against the virus.
Prof. Dr. Amir while talking to media said that the virus struggled against the infected individuals due to their strong immune systems. He added random genetic changes, driven by the virus’s adaptability, compromised the fitness of the virus.
He added that these genetic alterations added to a reduction in the estimated virulence, of the Coronavirus easing burden on health system.
Dr. Amir also further said that genetic composition of the Pakistani people, efficient healthcare systems, and lockdown strategies, helped to reduce the mortality rate.
The three-year findings are published in the Virology Journal from Springer Nature.
Dr. Amir stressed the study’s findings providing significant insights for future pandemic preparedness.
