Washington: In many foreign countries like China, Japan, America etc., the cases of Covid are increasing again. In many places, new varieties have caused the spread. Reports surfaced that a new variant called XBB.1.5 was behind the outbreak in the United States. After this, the World Health Organization has again issued instructions regarding the use of masks.
The World Health Organization has stated that the respective countries should advise those who take long-haul flights to wear masks. This is in the context of the rapid spread of new Omicron variants, including in the United States. In Europe, the XBB.1.5 variant is currently low but rates are increasing, WHO said.
Catherine Smallwood, senior emergency officer for the World Health Organization in Europe, said that it is advisable for all those in areas where the spread of Covid is acute to follow this recommendation. The XBB.1.5 variant has been reported to account for 27.6 percent of the current outbreak in America. There were reports that variants like BF7 and XBB.1.5 were behind the spread in countries like China and Japan. Japan’s covid rates and death rates are hitting record highs.
Meanwhile, China has lifted the severe covid restrictions implemented to prevent covid. After three years, land, air and water transport routes were fully opened by China on Sunday. The decision to open amid the uncontrollable increase in the number of Covid-19 patients is also drawing criticism. China decided to end its ‘zero covid policy’ in December following strong anti-government protests.
Omicron variant BF7 is behind the spread in China. Then the news that this variant was confirmed also came out in India. Health experts say that severe sore throat, runny nose, body aches and high fever are more common in the BF-7 variant. Health experts warn that those who have been sick before, the elderly, those with heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, etc. should be more careful. The BF7 variant was previously reported in countries like America, UK, Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark.
X.B.B. variants
XBB is composed of Omicron’s own BJ1 and BA2.75 subunits. The most virulent of the Covid variants was first reported in Singapore in August. Symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever, fatigue, headache, diarrhea and vomiting. The subvariants of this virus are XBB-1 and XBB-1.5. X.B.B. It has been reported in many parts of India including Maharashtra. Accumulation of variants such as XBB could reduce the effectiveness of Covid vaccines and lead to re-infection of the virus, researchers at Columbia University said in a study earlier this month.