XBB.1.5 more likely to infect the vaccinated or those who have had COVID: Report

Omicron's latest sub variant in the news is the XBB.1.5. This is the superior form of the recombinant XBB which is dominant in transmission rate or in other words spreadability.

The sub variant was first detected in the US in October last year and is said to be the most transmissible variant of the coronavirus.

"Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 now accounts for 73% of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in NYC. XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible form of COVID-19 that we know of to date and may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19," a tweet by the official account of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says.

It urges citizens to get vaccinated. "Getting vaccinated and getting the updated booster is still the best way to protect yourself from hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including from these new variants," it says in another tweet.

The report available on the official website of the NYC health gives a clearer picture of the statement. The website report reads: "It may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or previously had COVID-19 compared to prior variants."

"We do not know yet whether XBB.1.5 may cause more severe disease. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine — including the updated booster — is still the best way to protect yourself from hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including from these new variants," it adds.

XBB.1.5 is spreading at a faster pace in the US. Currently it accounts for 43% of the COVID infections in the country.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) the subvariant is currently spreading 12.5 percent faster than other variants in the US.

The subvariant accounted for about 30% of cases in the first week of January, which is higher than the 27.6% the CDC estimated last week, the Reuters reported.

It is too early to say that XBB.1.5 can drive a global wave of COVID infection on its own.

Currently it is seen in more than 27 countries.

A study published in the Cell journal in December 2021, XBB.1.5 is 63 times less likely to be neutralized by existing antibodies than the BA.2 sub variant.

The study also found that the XBB.1.5 is 49 times more than BA.4 and BA.5 sub variants which were dominant earlier in the UK and other countries.

As of January first week, a total of 7 cases of XBB.1.5 led COVID infections have been found in India. The data confirmed by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) revealed that of the seven cases, three were from Gujarat, one each in Karnataka, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Seven cases of the BF.7 variant which is behind the COVID surge in China have also been found in India.

This new symptom may sound caution against emerging COVID variants

As of now XBB.1.5 sub variant has not shown any distinct COVID symptoms. The regular COVID symptoms have been seen in patients so far.

There is no evidence on the severity associated with COVID infection caused by XBB.1.5. It is not clear whether XBB.1.5, touted as the most transmissible form of the coronavirus, can cause any more serious disease than the previous variants like Delta.

The top COVID symptoms which are currently being reported are sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, dry cough, cough with phlegm, headache, hoarse voice, muscle aches, muscle pains and altered sense of smell.