Researchers in China say preliminary research shows there are two strains of the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 3,200 people and infected more than 92,000 across the globe.
The scientists warned that the data in the study was still very limited.
Researchers named the aggressive strain “L type,” and the less aggressive version “S type.” The L type was seen more often in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, but the frequency of this type of virus has since decreased from early January.
Genetic analysis of a man in the US who tested positive on January 21, also showed it is possible to be infected with both types.
New mutations were also discovered in the case of a 61-year-old man from Brazil, although Dr David Heyman of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said a vaccine should still work on the emerging strain.
Scientists said the results show the development of new variations of the spike in COVID-19 cases was likely due to “mutations and natural selection besides recombination.”
These findings strongly support an urgent need for further immediate, comprehensive studies that combine genomic data, epidemiological data, and chart records of the clinical symptoms of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).