2023-04-25 12:35:05
The Ministry of Public Health updates Thai COVID, found Omicron XBB.1.16, a total of 34 cases, clear! XBB.1.16.1 kills Myanmar man
Today (25 April 2023) Dr. Suphakit Sirilak Director General, Department of Medical Sciences The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) updates the situation of surveillance of the COVID-19 strain. and species monitored in Thailand that the Department of Science Together with the laboratory network (lab) to continuously monitor the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus strains. Recently, the World Health Organization has adjusted the closely monitored species, including:
1. Two species under surveillance or Variants of Interest (VOI), namely XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16
2. Variants under monitoring (VUM): 6 varieties: BA.2.75, CH.1.1, BQ.1, XBB, XBB.1.9.1 and XBF.
The global situation of strains XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 is based on the GISAID central database for the week of March 27 – April 2, 2023. The numbers have increased from the week of February 27 – March 5, 2023 as follows:
-XBB.1.5 Reports from 96 countries accounted for 50.8 percent, an increase from 46.2 percent.
-XBB.1.16 Reports from 31 countries accounted for 4.2 percent, an increase 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, there were 6 additional cases of XBB.1.16 and 1 case of XBB.1.16.1, bringing the total number of cases of XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.16.1 to 34 cases in Thailand. The proportion of XBB.1.16* strains accounted for 9.8% of the strains examined this week. XBB.1.5* is the most common strain, accounting for 28 percent, while BN.1*, which used to be the main strain in Thailand since the end of 2022, has decreased in proportion,” said Dr. Suphakit.
In addition, the Director-General of the Department of Science said In the case of a Myanmar deceased who has a positive ATK test results, breed test results 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 cohort, may provide better immune evasion than the parent strain.
“So far, two cases of infection with the XBB.1.16.1 strain have been identified in Thailand. At the same time, XBB.1.16 continues to evolve in nature to give it a higher proliferation advantage. XBB.1.16 contains an additional S494P mutation, which is more prevalent in India. and the United States It may soon be assigned to another subspecies. However, please don’t panic. For this Myanmar infected person, he has never been vaccinated against COVID-19. It is therefore possible for any type of infection to cause a greater than normal health effect. Department of Science 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 die, ”said Dr. Suphakit.
Dr. Suphakit emphasized that for people, personal protection 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 Science and its networks continue to monitor and monitor the mutation of SARS-CoV-2 continuously. And published on the international database GISAID regularly.
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