India has officially detected the presence of Omicron’s sub-variant XBB.1.5, with the tally reaching five cases as of now. The first case was reported in Gujarat on December 31, as confirmed by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
Emergence of XBB.1.5
According to recent data from INSACOG, three samples from Gujarat and one each from Karnataka and Rajasthan have tested positive for the new XBB.1.5 variant. This sub-variant of Omicron has also been associated with a surge in Covid cases and hospitalizations in the US, constituting 3.6% of the total reported cases last week.
INSACOG officials have stated that there have been no unusual reports from the five patients infected with XBB.1.5, though clinical data assessment is ongoing. Despite the emergence of numerous mutations in Omicron, there is currently no indication that these newer sub-variants will lead to adverse outcomes in India.
Characteristics of XBB.1.5
XBB.1.5 is a recombinant of two BA.2 sub-lineages of Omicron, with a global prevalence of 1.3% and detection in 35 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). US scientist Eric Topol suggests that this variant has a higher transmission rate compared to other variants.
Impact and Precautions
The XBB variant is already driving up Covid cases across Asia, including India, where it is the dominant variant circulating nationwide. With India’s active caseload standing at 2,582, and 134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, concerns about potential waves persist.
Dr. Aditya S Chowti, a senior consultant in internal medicine at Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, notes that sub-variants like XBB.1.5 may cause more re-infections than high severity cases. Dr. Laxman Jessani, a consultant in infectious diseases at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, warns of a potential new wave triggered by the immune-evasive nature of XBB.
Vaccine Efficacy
Dr. Jessani highlights that available Covid-19 vaccines offer partial effectiveness against these variants, emphasizing the importance of vaccination, especially for unvaccinated individuals, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. India has administered 220 crore Covid-19 doses, including first, second, and booster shots.
Government Mandates
In response to the global surge in cases, the Indian government has mandated the submission of RT-PCR reports for travelers from select countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Additionally, travelers are required to upload their health status on the Air Suvidha website starting January 1, 2023.
Ben Müller
Clara Cardoso
