Patient is ‘first in the world to be reinfected with coronavirus four months after recovering’
A PATIENT is the first in the world to be reinfected with coronavirus – just four months after recovering from the bug, scientists claim.
The 33-year-old IT worker was infected by two different strains of Covid-19, according to researchers in Hong Kong.
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He was in good health before developing a cough, headache and fever with the first infection and tested positive for Covid with swab test on March 26.
The patient, who lives in Hong Kong, was hospitalised but recovered and discharged after having two negative tests on April 14.
He tested positive again during screening at Hong Kong airport on August 15 when returning from Spain, via the UK.
The man was again hospitalised but had no symptoms, which suggests that subsequent infections may be milder, the researchers said.
Two separate infections
Genomic sequencing identified differences in the viruses, proving two separate infections, rather than a relapse.
Previous reports have been anecdotal, with no genetic evidence.
The revelation by Hong Kong researchers, published in the medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, is a major blow to scientists who hoped survivors would develop immunity.
The boffins say the findings show the importance of everybody being vaccinated and observing social distancing.
They said: “This case illustrates that re-infection can occur just after a few months of recovery from the first infection.
“Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in the global human population as is the case for other common-cold associated human coronaviruses, even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection.
This case illustrates that re-infection can occur just after a few months of recovery from the first infection
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong
“Since the immunity can be short lasting after natural infection, vaccination should also be considered for those with one episode of infection.
“Patients with previous Covid-19 infection should also comply with epidemiological control measures such as universal masking and social distancing.”
‘Very rare’
Other experts say it may be “very rare” and more cases of reinfection need to be identified.
Prof Brendan Wren, a microbiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “With over 3 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide, the first reported case of a potential re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 needs to be taken into context.
“It appears that the young and healthy adult has been re-infected with a slight SARS-CoV-2 variant from the initial infection three months previously.
“It is to be expected that the virus will naturally mutate over time.
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“This is a very rare example of re-infection and it should not negate the global drive to develop Covid-19 vaccines.”
Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, said: “The significant thing here is that being re-infected with a mutated strain demonstrates that it is more likely to be re-infection, rather than the same infection that has hung around because the virus has not actually been got rid of, as some people have suggested happens.
“The finding of a mutant strain is absolutely nothing to be shocked or surprised by and I think that some journalists don’t quite get that – it would actually be more interesting if there were no mutations cropping up.”