Last Update: January 10, 2023, 6:46 pm IST
Many scientists – including the WHO – believe that China is potentially underreporting the true extent of its outbreak. (Photo: Reuters)
XBB.1.5 is yet another descendant of Omicron, the most infectious – and now globally dominant – type of virus that causes COVID-19. It is an offshoot of XBB, first discovered in October, which is itself a recombinant of two other omicron subvariants.
Countries should consider recommending that passengers on long-haul flights wear masks to combat the latest Omicron subvariant of COVID-19, given its rapid spread in the United States. World Health Organization (WHO) officials said this on Tuesday.
WHO/Europe officials said in a press briefing that in Europe, a small but increasing number of XBB.1.5 subvariants are being identified.
The WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said travelers should be advised to wear masks in high-risk situations such as long-haul flights. -19 Transmission”.
XBB.1.5 – the most infectious Omicron subvariant detected so far – accounted for 27.6% of COVID-19 cases in the United States for the week ending January 7, US health officials have said.
It is unclear whether XBB.1.5 will cause its own wave of infections around the world. Experts say existing vaccines protect against severe symptoms, hospitalization and death.
“Countries need to look at the evidence base” for pre-departure testing, Smallwood said, adding that it was important not to focus exclusively on a particular geographic area.
If action is considered, she said, “we are of the opinion that the travel measures should be implemented in a non-discriminatory manner”.
He added that this does not mean the agency recommends testing travelers arriving from the United States at this stage.
Measures that could be taken include genomic surveillance and targeting of travelers arriving from other countries, as long as this does not divert resources away from domestic surveillance systems. Others include wastewater monitoring systems around points of entry, such as airports.
XBB.1.5 is yet another descendant of Omicron, the most infectious – and now globally dominant – type of virus that causes COVID-19. It is an offshoot of XBB, first discovered in October, which is itself a recombinant of two other Omicron subtypes.
Concerns about XBB.1.5 are fueling a new spate of cases in the United States and beyond, at the same time as a surge in COVID cases in China after the country moved away from its signature “zero COVID” policy last month happened.
According to data reported by the WHO earlier this month, an analysis by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed a predominance of Omicron sublineages BA.5.2 and BF.7 among locally acquired infections.
Many scientists – including the WHO – believe that China is potentially underreporting the true extent of its outbreak.
More than a dozen countries – including the United States – are demanding COVID tests from travelers from China.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)