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Research Finds Possible Connection Between Anti-Covid Drug And Virus Mutations
Research Finds Possible Connection Between Anti-Covid Drug And Virus Mutations....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Researchers reported on Monday that a widely used anti-Covid drug worldwide may have induced mutations in the virus. However, there is no evidence suggesting that these mutations have resulted in more dangerous variants.
Merck, a pharmaceutical giant, introduced the antiviral pill molnupiravir early in the pandemic to prevent Covid from worsening in vulnerable individuals. Administered orally over a five-day course, the drug primarily aims to introduce mutations in the virus to weaken and eliminate it.
Nonetheless, a recent study led by the UK indicates that molnupiravir “can lead to the emergence of significantly mutated viruses that remain viable,” according to Theo Sanderson, the lead author of the study, from London’s Francis Crick Institute. Sanderson stressed that there is no current evidence that “molnupiravir has produced more transmissible or virulent viruses.” He also stated that none of the global variants can be attributed to the drug.
However, he added that it is challenging to predict whether molnupiravir treatment could potentially give rise to a new widely circulating variant for which people lack prior immunity.
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For the study, published in the journal Nature, researchers examined databases containing over 15 million genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid. They tracked changes in the virus’s mutations during the pandemic and discovered a specific “mutational signature” in patients believed to be linked to molnupiravir.
In 2022, when the drug was widely prescribed, there was a notable increase in patients displaying this mutational signature. It was more prevalent in countries where the drug was commonly prescribed, including the United States, UK, Australia, and Japan. In contrast, it was less common in countries where the drug was not approved, such as Canada and France.
Merck disputed the study, arguing that the researchers relied on “circumstantial associations” regarding where and when the sequences were collected.
Sanderson countered this assertion, stating that the researchers used “multiple independent lines of evidence” to confidently establish molnupiravir’s role in driving this mutational signature. This included a separate analysis of treatment data in England, which revealed that over 30 percent of mutation events linked to the signature occurred in individuals who had taken molnupiravir. However, the study noted that only 0.04 percent of people in England received the drug in 2022.
Other anti-Covid drugs do not operate in the same manner and would not induce these types of mutations, according to Sanderson.
Experts who were not involved in the study tended to support the British researchers’ findings. They emphasized that molnupiravir is not harmful to individuals currently taking the drug and did not call for its complete discontinuation.
Molnupiravir is increasingly being used in combination with other treatments, as its effectiveness has diminished among vaccinated individuals who are not at risk. Sales of molnupiravir, marketed as Lagevrio, exceeded $20 billion last year, but Merck reported an 82 percent drop in sales in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year.
Sources have confirmed that approximately ₦500 billion was deducted from the May 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue to support an emergency national security intervention. This deduction occurred prior to the distribution of monthly revenue among the Federal Government, states, and the 774 local government councils.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Senior officials noted that this deduction accounts for a significant portion of the disparity between total gross revenue and the final distributable amount.
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While official communiqués did not itemize the specific deductions under transfers and refunds, sources confirmed that the security allocation was part of the adjustments made before distribution.
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State commissioners of finance, who serve on the FAAC, are reportedly aware of this deduction.
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Additional documents indicate other major deductions, including ₦250 billion for a Military Intervention Fund, ₦252 billion for an Infrastructure Development Fund for states, and ₦450 billion for the Non-Oil Excess Revenue Account, totaling ₦952 billion in pre-distribution deductions.
Overview of May 2026 Revenue
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FAAC announced a total distribution of ₦2.3 trillion to the various tiers of government for May 2026, marking a ₦43 billion increase from the previous month.
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The total gross revenue for May was reported at ₦3.395 trillion, from which ₦123.546 billion was taken for collection costs and ₦971.610 billion for transfers and refunds.
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Final disbursements included ₦818.680 billion for the Federal Government, ₦759.141 billion for state governments, ₦534.277 billion for local councils, and ₦188.132 billion for oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue.
Context of Security Challenges
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This financial intervention occurs as the administration faces continued pressure to address widespread insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and oil theft.
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President Bola Tinubu’s administration maintains that national security is a prerequisite for economic and social stability, having consistently increased defense funding and military procurement since taking office in May 2023.
On Thursday, the Federal Government inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness to ensure the nation remains proactive rather than reactive. Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, confirmed that while there are currently zero reported cases of Ebola in Nigeria, the government is committed to maintaining this status by shifting the focus from curative measures to prevention. Gbajabiamila emphasized that the government aims to avoid the chaotic response seen during the 2014 outbreak.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Coordinated Surveillance: The task force has established subcommittees to manage emergency responses, immigration, and surveillance, with collaboration from state governors representing Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory.
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Border Vigilance: Beyond monitoring airports, the government is placing significant emphasis on securing land borders to address risks associated with informal migration routes, involving the Border Control Development Agency and immigration services.
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NCDC Preparedness: Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), stated that surveillance systems at all major entry points have been strengthened.
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Rapid Response Framework: Although the primary objective is to prevent the virus from entering the country, the NCDC is upgrading emergency response systems to ensure that any potential case can be rapidly identified and managed.
This multi-sectoral approach involves the ministries of health, interior, and education, as well as border control agencies and state governments, all working in unison to address potential Ebola-related threats.
The Nigerian Army has officially refuted social media claims alleging that Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye, the late Commanding Officer of the 20th Model Battalion, was killed during a bandit attack. According to a statement released on Thursday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, the officer actually passed away on June 13, 2026, following a brief illness.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Describing the online reports as both “misleading and inaccurate,” the Army emphasized that his death was not connected to any operational incident or banditry. The military expressed strong disapproval of the speculation, labeling it insensitive to both the grieving family and the institution. Furthermore, the Army warned that spreading such unverified narratives undermines public confidence and creates unnecessary anxiety among military personnel, their families, and the broader public.
The 6 Brigade urged the public and media to disregard these false reports and instead rely on official military channels for accurate information regarding personnel matters. In closing, the Army honored the late officer for his dedicated and professional service to the nation, extending its condolences for his passing.
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