New Delhi: A new version of Omicron XBB.1.5 has raised concerns in many countries including India where its cases have been reported, and it has the capability to infect even those who have been vaccinated, according to experts on Tuesday (January 3). According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-chairman of the National IMA Covid task force, XBB.1.5 is an upgraded version of XBB, a recombinant sub-lineage of Omicron that was found a few months ago in multiple countries like Singapore and later in India.
Also Read: Covid XBB.1.5 Variant Not Virulent In India As 90% Of Population Vaccinated: Doctor
He said,
XBB.1.5 has a greater ability to attach itself to the human ACE-2 receptor while retaining the outstanding immune evasiveness of its ancestor.
Dr Jayadevan further explained that this variant has the ability to infect those who had a prior infection or even vaccination.
The expert said,
Immune evasiveness is the ability of the virus to infect people who had prior infection or vaccination or both. XBB.1.5 achieved this by creating a rare type of mutation called F486P, located in its RBD (receptor binding domain). It is not known whether it causes more severe diseases. Experts believe it is unlikely to do so.
Also Read: India Mandates Negative COVID-19 Report For Flyers From China Among Five Places From January 1
However, he said that continued vigil is needed to see if these ongoing genetic changes also enable the virus to cause more severe disease. He said,
The latest genomic surveillance data from India show XBB accounts for 20 per cent, while the older variant BA.2.75 is still dominant. This landscape could change.
According to Dr Pragya Yadav, Sr Scientist, NIV-Pune, ICMR who tweeted about the global XBB.1.5 cases reported,
The USA has the highest count and India has 1 case which was reported on December 24, 2022, from Gujarat. USA (1357), Canada (24), France (15), Israel (13), Netherlands (10), Denmark (8), Switzerland (6), Australia (5), Austria (4), and United Kingdom (3).
USA has the highest count and India has 1 case which was reported on 24th december '22 from Gujarat.
CountryXBB.1.5
USA1357
Canada24
France15
Israel13
Netherlands10
Denmark8
Switzerland6
Australia5
Austria4
UnitedKingdom3 https://t.co/CeMxzj9ngl— Dr. Pragya D Yadav (@hellopragya22) January 2, 2023
Also Read: “Don’t Panic, India Is Preparing For Potential COVID-19 Outbreak”: COVID Panel Chief Dr N.K. Arora
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
