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. 2020 Apr;5(4):529-530.
doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-0690-4.

We shouldn't worry when a virus mutates during disease outbreaks

Nathan D Grubaugh  1   2 , Mary E Petrone  3 , Edward C Holmes  4
Affiliations

We shouldn't worry when a virus mutates during disease outbreaks

Nathan D Grubaugh et al. Nat Microbiol. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Mutation. The word naturally conjures fears of unexpected and freakish changes. Ill-informed discussions of mutations thrive during virus outbreaks, including the ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2. In reality, mutations are a natural part of the virus life cycle and rarely impact outbreaks dramatically.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Comment in

  • The importance of naturally attenuated SARS-CoV-2in the fight against COVID-19.
    Armengaud J, Delaunay-Moisan A, Thuret JY, van Anken E, Acosta-Alvear D, Aragón T, Arias C, Blondel M, Braakman I, Collet JF, Courcol R, Danchin A, Deleuze JF, Lavigne JP, Lucas S, Michiels T, Moore ERB, Nixon-Abell J, Rossello-Mora R, Shi ZL, Siccardi AG, Sitia R, Tillett D, Timmis KN, Toledano MB, van der Sluijs P, Vicenzi E. Armengaud J, et al. Environ Microbiol. 2020 Jun;22(6):1997-2000. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.15039. Environ Microbiol. 2020. PMID: 32342578 Free PMC article.

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