XBB.1.5 reminds us again that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from running out of steam. This recombinant variant of Omicron, which is currently increasing in the United States, is the most transmissible subvariant to date.
It threatens to become the dominant strain in European countries, including France, “within a month or two,” according to the European Union health agency (ECDC).
• Where are you from?
The XBB.1.5 subvariant descends from XBB.1, which in turn descends from XBB, which is a recombination of BJ.1 and BA.2.75. In short, it is the result of two sub-variants of Omicron, the majority variant in many countries around the world.
“XBB.1.5 is very similar to its predecessor, XBB.1, but it has an additional mutation of its spike protein, the famous key to entering the virus,” said Grace Roberts, a virologist at the British University of Leeds.
• Is it more contagious and more dangerous?
It is the most transmissible subvariant to date, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical director on Covid, said this week. He clearly has a “growth advantage.”
The most likely explanation for this advantage is the spike protein mutation, which adds to a recombination of an already highly transmissible strain, the European Union health agency (ECDC) said. In the United States, XBB.1.5 is currently spreading 12% faster than other variants in circulation.
However, “there is no data to suggest that XBB.1.5 is more harmful, in terms of severe illness and death, than previous variants,” said Grace Roberts. However, WHO continues to evaluate the data.
The ECDC said the overall risk level of the subvariant remains low for the general population. However, the risk is “moderate to high” for vulnerable people, such as the elderly or the unvaccinated.
• Where do you drive the most?
This subvariant was first detected in the United States in October and now accounts for more than 27% of infections in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker.
A total of 38 countries have reported cases of XBB.1.5, including 82% in the United States, 8% in the United Kingdom and 2% in Denmark, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday in a rapid risk assessment.
The ECDC said this week that XBB.1.5 currently accounts for just 2.5% of cases in Europe. But the agency’s mathematical models, based on the growth rate of this subvariant, show that it could become the dominant strain in Europe “within a month or two,” it said on Friday.
• Are you making progress in France?
According to Public Health France, in its latest point, “XBB.1.5 appears to be circulating quietly in metropolitan France. It was initially detected during Flash S48-2022 (early December) and has remained at low levels ever since (less than 1% ). “.
The majority sub-variant in France is still BQ.1.1, also from the Omicron family (and even BA.5 sub-lineage), but therefore it could run out of steam in favor of XBB.1.5 in the coming weeks.
Source: BFM TV
