COVID-19 Strains Update: Thailand’s Department of Medical Sciences Monitors the Increase in XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 Variants, as Well as the Emergence of XBB.1.16.1 Substrain, With T547I Mutation and the Potential to Evade Immunity, Providing Recommendations for Personal Protective Measures and Vaccination for the Public

2023-04-25 12:21:33

25 April 2023 – Dr. Suphakit Sirilak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences Update the surveillance situation COVID-19 strains and strains monitored in Thailand by the Department of Medical Sciences in conjunction with the laboratory network Continuously monitor the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus strains. Most recently, the World Health Organization adjusted the species closely monitored, namely 1) Variants of Interest (VOI), 2 variants: XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 2) Variants under monitoring. (VUM) 6 variants: BA.2.75, CH.1.1, BQ.1, XBB, XBB.1.9.1 and XBF

As for the situation of strains XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 around the world, based on the GISAID central database for the week of March 27 – April 2, 2023, the numbers were found to increase from the week of February 27 – March 5, 2023 as follows:

XBB.1.5 Reports from 96 countries accounted for 50.8%, an increase from 46.2%.

XBB.1.16 Reports from 31 countries, representing 4.2 percent, up from 0.5 percent.

Experts speculate, based on proliferation advantages and ability to dodge immunity, XBB.1.16 may spread globally and contribute to an increase in the number of infections, however, there is no evidence of an increase in disease severity.

For Thailand, 6 new cases of XBB.1.16 were found, and 1 case of XBB.1.16.1, making Thailand now found 34 cases of XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.16.1, with the proportion of XBB.1.16 being 9.8% of the species. inspected this week XBB.1.5 is the most common strain, accounting for 28%, while BN.1, which has been the dominant strain in Thailand since the end of 2022, has decreased in proportion.

Dr. Supakit continued that in the case of a Myanmar deceased with a positive ATK test result, the result of the breed test. It was found as strain XBB.1.16.1, which is a substrain of XBB.1.16, with the T547I mutation in addition to the parent strain. which is the first mutation found in the XBB.1.16 group, may help to avoid immunity better than the parent strain. So far, two cases of XBB.1.16.1 have been identified in Thailand. At the same time, XBB.1.16 remains Further evolving the nature of the virus in order to have a higher proliferation advantage. XBB.1.16 is now found with an additional S494P mutation, which is increasingly found in India. and the United States It may soon be assigned to another subspecies. However, please don’t panic. As this Myanmar patient has never received a COVID-19 vaccination, there is a possibility that any type of infection will have a greater than normal health impact.

“The Department of Medical Sciences will closely monitor changes in species. by coordinating with hospitals across the country to send samples of COVID-19 patients across the country, both Thai and foreigners, to test for more strains especially in cases with severe symptoms or died For the public, personal protective measures, washing hands, wearing a mask if going to participate in activities. with a large number of people or in a public place and immunization needle vaccination is still very much needed Especially in people who are in the 608 risk group, it can help reduce severe symptoms and death. And please be assured that the Department of Medical Sciences and Networks Continue to monitor and monitor the mutation of SARS-CoV-2. And regularly published on the international database GISAID, ”said Dr. Suphakit.