SEATTLE — An outbreak of the coronavirus on board a Seattle-based fishing boat in May could provide the first scientific proof that neutralizing antibodies protect people from infection and reinfection from the coronavirus.
The Seattle-based fishing vessel American Dynasty — owned by American Seafoods — took every step to be safe in May, when the entire crew of 120 tested negative for the coronavirus before setting sail. But 18 days later, after a stop in Bellingham, 85% of the crew became sick, and all who were sick tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Alex Greninger of the UW Medicine Virology Lab noticed there were three crew members who were not sick and who also showed high levels of virus-fighting, antibodies in their blood before setting sail, meaning they were exposed to the virus at another time and recovered.
Greninger said that’s a major breakthrough for all of us because the same level of antibodies protecting the crew members on the ship will potentially be available in a vaccine.
Greninger said the crew on the ship proved that eventually, protection against the pandemic is possible.