It's not contagious
A drug has been found that blocks the spread of coronavirus in 24 hours
Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+
A group of scientists from the United States found that the antiviral drug molnupiravir, developed for the treatment of influenza, quickly blocks the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Experiments on ferrets have shown the effectiveness of the drug, and its oral form allows you to start therapy more quickly and prevent the development of serious symptoms.
Preventing the spread of coronavirus before mass vaccination is an extremely desirable stage in the fight against the pandemic, necessary to reduce the number of infected and mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the disease. Scientists from The University of Georgia was the first to demonstrate that the drug MK-4482/EIDD-2801, also known as molnupiravir, is able to suppress the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
Since the drug is taken orally, therapy can be started promptly, which will prevent the development of serious symptoms, shorten the infection phase and quickly cope with local outbreaks of the disease, according to a press release Oral Drug Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, Georgia State Biomedical Sciences Researchers Find.
Article by Cox et al. Therapeutically administered ribonucleoside analogue MK-4482/EIDD-2801 blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission in ferrets is published in the journal Nature Microbiology – VM.
Scientists have noticed that molnupiravir has a wide range of actions against respiratory RNA viruses. The experiment on ferrets showed that the drug reduces the volume of viral particles by several orders of magnitude within the first 24 hours after the start of administration. These properties make MK-4482/EIDD-2801 a promising therapeutic agent against COVID-19, Richard Plemper, head of the research group, is convinced.
"We believe that ferrets are a relevant transmission model because they actively spread SARS–CoV-2, but for the most part do not get seriously ill, which is very similar to the spread of the virus among young people," said Robert Cox, one of the researchers.
If the results obtained in the experiment with ferrets turn out to be valid for humans, patients with covid will cease to be contagious about a day after taking the drug. MK-4482/EIDD-2801 is currently in the second/third phase of clinical trials.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru