A drug has been identified that blocks Covid-19 transmission, the study says

14:16 04.12.2020Short URL

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A group of American scientists has identified a flu shot that can block Covid-19 transmission within 24 hours, according to a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology.

The new flu drug MK-4482 / EIDD-2801, or Molnupiravir, blocks the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, according to a study by a team of researchers at Georgia State University and led by Richard Plemper.

According to the results published in the journal Nature Microbiology, Molnupiravir gives good results in the initial phase of Covid-19 and has also proved effective against other RNA viruses.

A study carried out on ferrets

The scientists conducted their study on SARS-CoV-2 infected ferrets who were given the drug twice a day orally.

“We explored the efficacy of therapeutically administered MK-4482 / EIDD-2801 in relieving SARS-CoV-2 infection and blocking transmission in ferrets, as ferrets readily transmit the virus but have minimal clinical signs. that resemble the spread of the virus in the human population of young adults, “say the researchers in their study.

Tests showed that MK-4482 / EIDD-2801 prevented Covid-19 from progressing into a severe form and could block transmission of the virus within 24 hours.

Currently, the flu drug Molnupiravir is in phase 2/3 of clinical trials, the researchers say. If its effectiveness is confirmed, patients with Covid-19 will stop transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to other people within 24 hours of starting treatment, the scientists hope.