PUNE: Omicronnew XBB sub-variable has tagged a total of 71 cases across several states, with Maharashtra reporting its first five infections on Thursday to join a list that includes West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Over a two-week period, Odisha reported 33 cases, followed by Bengal with 17 cases and Tamil Nadu with 16 cases.
XBB, a combination of Omicron’s BA.2.75 and BJ.1 variants, was first detected in Singapore and the US in August. Scientists believe the “recombinant” has the ability to dodge immunity, although it remains unclear whether the virus causes severe illness leading to hospitalization.
Although Singapore has recorded an increase in cases, the country’s health ministry said there is still no evidence of a minor change causing serious outcomes. Are from WHO labeled Omicron as a “variant of interest”, its second- and second-generation variants are being treated similarly.
In India, scientists involved in genome sequencing told TOI on Thursday that about 88% of new infections in the country are caused by BA.2.75, while the XBB subvariable accounts for about 7% of the total. number of cases. The prevalence of BA.5 in the samples is now below 5%.
“XBB is a hybrid version of Omicron. We are closely monitoring its spread in Maharashtra,” said Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, state coordinator for genome sequencing.
In Singapore, XBB currently dominates all other sub-variants of the Omicron. Dr. Karyakarte said: “XBB has been detected in many parts of the world, but it is increasing very rapidly in Singapore. Within three weeks, it accounts for more than half of the total daily cases there.”
XBB, a combination of Omicron’s BA.2.75 and BJ.1 variants, was first detected in Singapore and the US in August. Scientists believe the “recombinant” has the ability to dodge immunity, although it remains unclear whether the virus causes severe illness leading to hospitalization.
Although Singapore has recorded an increase in cases, the country’s health ministry said there is still no evidence of a minor change causing serious outcomes. Are from WHO labeled Omicron as a “variant of interest”, its second- and second-generation variants are being treated similarly.
In India, scientists involved in genome sequencing told TOI on Thursday that about 88% of new infections in the country are caused by BA.2.75, while the XBB subvariable accounts for about 7% of the total. number of cases. The prevalence of BA.5 in the samples is now below 5%.
“XBB is a hybrid version of Omicron. We are closely monitoring its spread in Maharashtra,” said Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, state coordinator for genome sequencing.
In Singapore, XBB currently dominates all other sub-variants of the Omicron. Dr. Karyakarte said: “XBB has been detected in many parts of the world, but it is increasing very rapidly in Singapore. Within three weeks, it accounts for more than half of the total daily cases there.”
