The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
A STUDY led by Zimbabwean-born scientist Professor Francisca Mutapi has revealed that the high prevalence of common cold viruses in Africa may have helped the continent experience relatively lower death rates from Covid-19 compared to other continents.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Edinburgh where Professor Mutapi is based, was done in coordination with the University of Zimbabwe and several international institutions. It was carried out in Zimbabwe.
It suggests pre-existing cross-immunity from the antibodies — which can last for one year or longer — partly explains why Africa’s Covid-19 death toll has been lower than expected.
Prof Mutapi said: “The world has a lot to learn from researching on reasons underlying the way the pandemic unfolded in Africa. Only through studies such as this one can we derive actionable knowledge to better prepare for the next pandemic.”
In a statement last week, the researchers said many people in Africa may have built up antibodies that protected them from Covid-19 before the pandemic hit, by coming into regular contact with other coronaviruses such as those that cause the common cold.
“Africa accounts for more than one third of global deaths from respiratory infections, suggesting coronaviruses and other pathogens circulate at higher levels there compared to the rest of the world. However, more studies are needed to determine the antibodies’ effects on Covid-19 infections, illness and deaths in African populations.
“Despite Covid-19 infection rates in Africa being very high, the number of deaths has been comparatively low. Possible explanations include the continent’s lifestyle and climate, and its relatively youthful population,” reads part of the statement. The study noted that another possible explanation of the lower number of deaths could be related to how antibodies — produced in response to exposure to the six other types of common coronaviruses that infect humans — react with the Covid-19 virus.
The study reveals that antibodies detected include those targeting parts of the Covid-19 virus — for example, the spike protein — used in some vaccines to induce protective immunity.
