bioRxiv. Severe disease, hospitalizations remained flat," said Dr. Gandhi. The group concluded that XBB and its sublineages dont need a new label or to be designated as a new variant of concern because theyre not very different from other Omicron sublineages. What BQ.1 and XBB do have in common is a whole bunch of mutations in their spike protein. Pekosz said we dont know how well XBB will compete with current Omicron variants in the U.S. The island country in Southeast Asia reported an average of 7,716 local cases per day in the past week, compared with a daily average of 2,000 last month, according to data from Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH). SAN FRANCISCO -- Infectious diseases experts are keeping a close eye on multiple COVID-19 variants that have resulted in a spike in cases in both Europe and Asia. This means they will be monitored by health authorities, but are not at this stage regarded as variants of concern. An Omicron subvariant thats starting to gain global attention is XBB, which comes from the BA.2 sublineage of the COVID virus. How Long Will Immunity Last With the New COVID Bivalent Booster? We shouldn't worry when a virus mutates during disease outbreaks. The medications we currently have to treat COVID are expected to still be effective against the circulating variants and XBB. 21 cases of the XBB variant in NSW in the week ending October 15, while cases in Victoria rose by 24.7 per . A new Omicron sub-variant, known as the XBB, has been driving a significant surge in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, local media reported. Scientists first identified XBB in August. Government spokesperson for COVID-19, Reisa Broto Asmoro, during an online health broadcast on Monday (October 31, 2022). Those convergent mutations of Omicron may evade neutralizing antibody (NAb) drugs (like Evusheld and Bebtelovimab) and convalescent plasma. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page. Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is leading to a spike in coronavirus cases in China, has been detected in India. For several weeks, experts have noticed a peak in COVID cases in Europe and Asia. VIDEO: COVID subvariants: What to know and should you be concerned? Skip to main content Check Your Symptoms However, the virus is still evolving into different subvariants, each with its own specific mutations. Gandhi doesn't believe we will see an increase in hospitalizations in the U.S. but advises getting the latest booster equipped to fight omicron strains. XBB is getting a lot of buzz because it spreads fastand seems to be able to evade immunity that people have built up from having a previous COVID-19 infection or getting the vaccine, says. This means that previous infection with BA.2 or BA.5 might not protect you from XBB. Copyright 20102022, The Conversation Media Group Ltd. New COVID variants are popping up all the time. Recent data from the UKs Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated BQ.1 sub-lineages (including BQ.1 and the similar BQ.1.1) made up 16.7% of infections. The idea is that more changes allow it to attach to human cells more strongly, giving it a better chance of infecting that cell. What is the XBB COVID variant? The CDC is already attributing 5.7% of cases in the U.S. to the BQ.1 variant and forty-seven sequences to XBB according to data from an international research organization that tracks these strains. Around the world, COVID-19s Omicron variant is still the dominant circulating variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Mutating viruses sounds scary, but its a normal thing for them to do. Apart from XBB, other new variants of COVID that have been spotted recently are BQ.1, which is a variant of BA.5 and BA.2.3.20. The XBB variant is a subvariant of covid-19 that was first found in Singapore. We break down the latest news and research to help you understand how the world is living through a pandemic. Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Pekosz pointed out that COVID cases are increasing in a highly vaccinated population in Singapore, which suggests XBB might be more transmissible. What are the symptoms of omicron? Ancol Dreamland, Asuransi Astra, Hilo, Janji Jiwa Jiwa Toast are among the winners of the 2022-2023 Brand of the Year Awards. Australia's COVID-19 case numbers are on the rise again, with health officials signalling the arrival of new Omicron subvariants to our shores as a new wave begins. Whether XBB will cause an uptick in infections could depend somewhat on a regions immune landscape, which includes factors like COVID vaccination coverage and the size and timing of previous waves of Omicron. Nature. MORE: Not just COVID: Cases of winter illnesses already increasing among kids across Bay Area, "XBB has been spreading really rapidly in Singapore where it has overtaken BA5," said Nadia Roan, PhD, and added, "They are both of high concern because they are highly transmissible.". Weve seen this happen with the coronavirus before, indicated by a variant name beginning with an X (like XD, XE and XF). Health agencies worldwide are closely watching the XBB variant and trying to learn as much as they can about it. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Get the latest health news and information from across the ABC. By Carla Delgado Only time will tell whether XBB will outperform BA.5 or BQ.1, or if another variant is waiting in the wings. . We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. "I would look to the U.K. We saw cases go up about four weeks ago. The XBB strain is . However, people should keep in mind that there are many factors that influence how sick a person will get if they catch COVID, not just which variant they get. But theres no need to panic. Read more: Overseas data suggest XBB and BQ1 transmit faster than the currently reigning BA.5, but there is some good news. In the meantime, the usual precautions such as good ventilation and wearing a well-fitting mask still apply to reduce the risk of catching any member of the Omicron family. How did XBB come to be? While the ONS data suggests it makes up only 0.7% of infections in the UK, in Singapore some 58% of recently sequenced cases are XBB. The patient was retested for covid on September 24 and it was negative. When a virus mutates, it means parts have changed how they look or act, which sometimes results in being better at infecting a host (like a person or animal). Moderna and Pfizer Share a Peek At Human Data For Bivalent Boosters, Study: Boosters Protect Against Severe COVID For About 4 Months. The good news is that based on Singaporean data, XBB has been estimated to have a 30% lower risk of hospitalisation compared with BA.5. He then travelled back to Kerala on September 26. ", Dr. Monica Gandhi: "I think that we are going to see increased cases. Preprint posted online October 30, 2022. doi:10.1101/2022.09.15.507787. As of October 2022, XBB has been detected in 35 countries, including the United States. If you've not yet had COVID and want to keep it that way,or just don't want to getit again,what are the most effective, evidence-basedways of doing so? XBB is a descendant of two different BA.2 variants, and it is more immune-evasive than other versions of . So far these new variants have mostly spread in different parts of the world: BQ.1 and its close relative BQ.1.1 feature heavily in Europe and the US, whereas XBB took hold in Asia, notably . This part of the protein is required for the virus to infect our cells, and is also the target of antibodies which are an important part of the immune response. Keeping up to date with COVID-19 Vaccination. According to Roemers model, BQ.1 is a level-5 variant, with five mutations from a list of 21 key mutations which increase SARS-CoV-2s ability to strongly attach to human cells. This makes XBB another grandchild of BA.2. Below are common COVID-19 symptoms associated with many of the Omicron subvariants currently in circulation: Fever and body chills Chronic fatigue and widespread body aches Consistent headache. Therefore, he said XBB is worth watching carefully. And while we don't yet know exactly how vaccine-evasive these new subvariants are, with BA.5 still making up the lion's share of infections in Australia, now's a good time to get a booster if you're due one, Professor Baxter says. But Who Will Take It? There are also 'spin off strains' of XBB, known as XBB.1, XBB.2, and XBB.3. Rising cases of variants BQ.1 and XBB could make COVID drugs all but useless, study . Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Rivers set to rise, snow forecast as wild weather lashes south-eastern Australia, Australia to enter recession next year, major investment bank says, Ukraine calls on Australia to send more 'invaluable' coal as blackouts sweep the country. Here's what you need to know, Fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose not being recommended for most, health department says, 30 per cent lower risk of hospitalisation, such as good ventilation and wearing a well-fitting mask, Victoria entering new COVID-19 wave as sub-variants emerge, chief health officer says, Rise in cases prompts fresh COVID warning for Australia. "New cases per day are now about 2,000 to 2,500 cases, with the majority of the infected will showing mild symptoms and . She is affiliated with the University of Leeds and is a member of the Microbiology Society. XBB variant symptoms. Experts agreed that the XBB variant is more transmissible than previous Covid-19 strains. Its symptoms include chest pain, difficulty in hearing, and continuous coughing. Right now we are getting more influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. How will the next COVID-19 wave look like here? It's one of several major subvariants that have evolved from the basic Omicron variant, piling on more and more mutations on key parts of the. And in the year or so since Omicron was first detected, it's spun off into more than 300 subvariants (that we know of). This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. A recent preprint (a study yet to be peer-reviewed) suggests that mutations within the receptor-binding domain can help XBB escape neutralising antibodies generated by COVID vaccines or infection with earlier omicron offshoots, including the parent strains BA.2 and BA.5. In other words, even if you already had COVID, its possible you could get reinfected with the XBB variant. Living evidence - SARS-CoV-2 variants. Early data shows that the immune response induced by a bivalent COVID booster was enhanced in people who already had COVID. For example, mutations have changed the spike protein of the COVID virus. The combination of two strains of the omicron variant has at least seven mutations along the spike of the virus, which makes it. Luz Pena: "What is your projection? So far these new variants havemostly spread in different parts of the world:BQ.1 and its close relative BQ.1.1 feature heavily in Europe andthe US, whereas XBB took hold in Asia, notably causing a wave in Singapore that peaked in mid-October. "You have things like wastewater testing, sewage testing, and numbers are going up there [now].". U.S. scientists explain what we should expect as COVID-19 variants XBB, BQ.1 are spreading in Europe and Asia. Breast Cancer and the COVID-19 Vaccine: Is It Safe? XBB seems to be more prevalent in Asia. "Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), we are happy because while it mutates, it has a lower fatality rate," she noted . In the US, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 together make up around 35% of infections. Cornelius Roemer, a computational biologist in Switzerland, has suggested that a number of these specific changes in the receptor-binding domain can increase the viruss growth efficiency, or fitness. However, Finkel said that Evusheld (a combination of monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab) might not work as well. New Omicron-descended variantsincluding BF.7, BQ.1, BA.4.6, and othersare gaining traction in the U.S.. With mutations that allow them to better evade our immune systems, experts say we . However, Raj Rajnarayanan, PhD, assistant dean of research and associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicines Arkansas State University campus, told Verywell that New York is an emerging hotspot for the spread of XBB and its sublineages. Follow the resultsas votes inthe US midterms are counted, For the latest flood and weather warnings, search onABC Emergency. The XBB variant of COVID-19, which comes from the BA.2 sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is slowly gaining traction worldwide and increasing COVID-19 cases in some countries. He said the COVID-19 vaccine was still effective against severe symptoms of the XBB variant. But what can we make of these variants? However, people should keep in mind that there are many factors that influence how sick a person will get if they catch COVID, not just which variant they get. XBB is a hybrid of two omicron BA.2 lineages, BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. Ask a Molecular Biologist: How Do You Make Sense of Emerging COVID-19 Variants? National cabinet encourages wearing masks to combat COVID-19. Whats the Difference Between a Strain and a Variant? In October, the SingaporeanMinistry of Health reported that people infected with XBB had a 30 per cent lower risk of hospitalisation compared to those with BA.5. Here's how likely you are to get it more than once, Charting the COVID-19 spread: Australia passes 10,000 coronavirus deaths, 'I can't breathe': A boy is held down, then a guard sits on him, Qantas worker who raised COVID-19 concerns allegedly stood down for 'creating anxiety' among staff, court told, NSW government ditches bill which threatened to reignite internal 'koala wars' fight, Animal rescuers fined thousands after neglecting multiple animals over a number of years, Dozens of containers strewn across tracks after freight train derails west of Geelong, Investigation identifies nearly 50 child exploitation victims, Cairns police say, with further arrests made, Men make 'vigilante attack' on uncles who poured boiling water on little brother, Woman dies in hospital four months after alleged Darwin hit-and-run. This makes XBB another grandchild of BA.2. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The big one BA.5 might be on the decline, yet still makes up most cases reported in Australia at the moment. University of Leeds provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK. Are they cause for concern? . As a result, vaccines and treatments have had to adjust, too. Preliminary evidence suggests XBB is very effective at evading these antibodies too. The 'winter shot': Everything you need to know about getting your next COVID-19 booster, If you catch COVID again, will your symptoms be worse? This is due to the high infection rate compared to other types of variants with an average of thousands of cases per day. Vikki Easton has previously received funding from the BBSRC, MRC, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and GCRF. People who were reinfected with XBB initially got COVID before the Omicron period. XBB, on the other hand, is what's known as a "recombinant", the result of two different Omicron subvariants swapping parts of their genetic material in this case, Centaurus and BA.2.10.1. Read more: The CDC is already attributing 5.7% of cases in the U.S. to the BQ.1 variant and forty-seven sequences to XBB according to data from an international research organization that tracks these strains. Still, it appears that the recombinant XBB.1 is more resistant to the neutralizing antibodies induced by booster doses than other circulating subvariants like BA.4/5, BQ.1.1, and BA.2.75.2. Pilot of army chopper that sparked bushfire says he didn't see long grass when he landed for 'a whiz break', Republicans flip Democratic seat in US House of Representatives, within six seats of securing control, Adelaide AFLW premiership player Heather Anderson dies aged 28, Calls for royal commission into WA juvenile justice system, Are you a NOVID? Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. More data is needed to understand XBB, but early evidence suggests the risk of reinfection might be higher and it may not respond to some COVID treatments. XBB and BQ.1 are therefore cousins. Bali summit attendance expected to be high, Telkomsel unveils G20 Connect application, Governor plans to build railroad in South Sulawesi, South Coast of Yogyakarta not significantly impacted by supermoon. Dr Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, told the newspaper, "The XBB variant is the latest of a series of . The latter has recorded a daily average of about 5,500 cases over the past week . But its not just mutations in the receptor-binding domain that could give XBB an edge. A key difference between BQ.1 and XBB is the number and location of mutations in the receptor-binding domain. Read our. Recently BF.7 and . But we dont yet have data to support this from other countries, so this might change as XBB becomes more widespread. Vaccination is our primary defence against COVID-19 and given that immunity in the population is likely waning over time, we urge the public to get vaccinated or boosted when they are eligible to do so. BA.2.75 which was first detected in India in May and was nicknamed Centaurus is still kicking around too. The most common symptoms that have been reported by the patients infected with the XBB variant are - diarrhea, fever, chills, extreme fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell. What do we know about it? How to recognize symptoms, as cases are expected to rise during the holiday season. The immune system also targets the N-terminal domain with antibodies, and people who have recovered from BA.2 and BA.5 infections mount especially strong immune responses to this part of the spike protein. BQ.1 descended from BA.5, so can be considered a sublineage of a sublineage. A hybrid variant is created when two different . "A couple of weeks ago it was looking more XBB and this week, it's looking a bit more BQ.1.". And Will I Need It Again? Scientists are closely watching several regions where both variants are circulating to see which has the competitive edge. Vaccination Statistics. A new, stealthy COVID variant is spreading fast, spooking scientists and the markets. Your COVID-19 Symptoms May Vary Based on How Many Shots Youve Had. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. XBB is a combination of two different strains of Omicron. Dr Tambyah noted: "Although we do not have all the genomic data on the current wave of cases, that (XBB being more infectious compared to other variants) is most likely the case as the number of infections has risen quite significantly over the last few . Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. However, we need to see more data to know for sure whether XBB escapes Omicron immunity or not. This can include getting better at evading efforts to stop them, like vaccines and treatments. Different things drive viruses to mutate, like the behaviors of people (who can be hosts the virus wants to infect) and fluctuations in the environment (like changing seasons). MORE: If you had COVID, several of your organs could be aging 3-4 years faster: Study. Related articles Your COVID-19 Symptoms May Vary Based on How Many Shots You've Had Will Vaccines and Treatments Work Against XBB? During Singapore's XBB wave, for instance, while case numbers rose, hospitalisations didn't follow suit. 10 Symptoms of XBB, a COVID-19 Variant. However, the findings are based on preliminary evidence, and more studies are needed. One study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, found monoclonal antibody drugs, which work like antibodies made by your own immune system to fight a COVID infection, aren't as effectiveagainst BQ.1 and XBB. For instance, it's too early to tell whether XBB, BQ.1 or another subvariant will dominate in the coming months, or if they'll co-exist in the population, she added. However, other scientists have also noted XBBs apparent growth advantage over other variants. "We're actually in more of a COVID soup not my original phrase, but I think it's definitely apt.". XBB is currently the only variant at level 7, with seven of the 21 key mutations. "Those are all signs that actually the decline is over, and we're starting to see the start of the new wave," Professor Baxter said. According to the World Health Organizations (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), XBB is considered part of the Omicron variant. So which ones are best? It's in competition with fellow Omicron spawn BQ.1.1 for the title of most immune-evasive variant so far, surpassing that of shared . 10 Symptoms of XBB, a COVID-19 Variant Likely to Spread This Winter. Right now, we are in a COVID lull. 2022;611(7935):213-214. doi:10.1038/d41586-022-03445-6, Grubaugh ND, Petrone ME, Holmes EC. XBB is a hybrid of two omicron BA.2 lineages, BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. If we think of the omicron variant as a family tree, BA.2 (the dominant strain in the UK in spring of 2022) is the parent of BA.5 (the variant currently dominant in the UK) and the grandparent of BQ.1. Imprinted SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity induces convergent Omicron RBD evolution. This means that even if you've had another subvariant of COVID or been fully vaccinated, the new Omicron viruses might be able to sneak past your immune defences. New variants of the rapidly mutating coronavirus are still popping up around the world, and a new iteration of COVID on the rise in Asia may be the most immune-evasive yet. Other COVID recombinants have appeared over the past couple of years, Dr Sherry said, but XBB is the first to spread widely. So far, symptoms of XBB seem to be similar to what they've been with COVID-19 in general. The highly transmissible BF.7 Omicron subvariant has been detected in India. New variants of the rapidly mutating coronavirus are still popping up around the world, and a new iteration of COVID on the rise in Asia may be the most immune-evasive yet. If you had COVID, several of your organs could be aging 3-4 years faster: Study. In the United States, New York could be an emerging hotspot for the spread of XBB. Finkel said that while theres no evidence yet that XBB will pose a greater risk than other Omicron subvariants, we still need to be on the lookout and keep an eye on the rate of new infections. A hybrid variant is created when two different sub-variants combine and swap parts of their genetic material. "Even when we observe new sublineages internationally, we can't exactly predict how things will pan out in Australia, or even within different states and territories, because what we call the 'immune landscape' vaccination status, how long since last vaccine, what lineages people have been infected with previously is quite different," Dr Sherry says. XBB variant and its symptoms First detected on 13 August 2022, the XBB variant is more 'transmissible' than the previous COVID-19 strains, experts told Singapore newspaper Today. Lets take a look first at how theyre spreading. In other words, BQ.1 is a sub-lineage of BA.5. What makes them different from other strains? World Health Organization. What You Need to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Boosters. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease specialist who serves as the technical lead for COVID-19 response at the World Health Organization, addressed growing concerns about the XBB variant in a Twitter video last week. Omicron variants are successful due in part to several shared mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein (a protein on the surface of the virus which allows it to attach to our cells). The XBB strain is causing a small surge in cases in countries like Bangladesh and Singapore. This preprint regards XBB as one of the most antibody-evasive coronavirus strains weve seen. Will Vaccines and Treatments Work Against XBB? Diana Finkel, DO, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Verywell that compared to other Omicron sublineages circulating, early evidence suggests there might be a higher reinfection risk with XBB. Omicron XE is spreading in the UK a virologist explains what we know about this hybrid variant. It is possible that we could face a double wave of infections in the UK a wave of BQ.1 infections from Europe and the US, before a second wave of XBB from Asia. XBB is one of the "new class" of Omicron variants that are spreading fast right now, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Ministry of Health Singapore. TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The increase in Covid-19 cases of the XBB and BQ variants in Jakarta is estimated to occur from late November to early December 2022. Preliminary research suggests the Omicron subvariant XBB might carry a higher infection risk and be more resistant to neutralizing antibodies from booster vaccine doses and antibody drugs, but more studies are needed. "We don't know for sure yet, but the signs are that their disease severity is similar to the other Omicrons," Dr Sherry says. In a press conference at the Ministry of Health (MoH) today, Khairy said that the four cases from Selangor and Negri Sembilan are Malaysians aged between 25 and 51-years-old, with one being . Then COVID will take on the role of causing mild infections.". AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/covid-omicron-xbb-bq1-subvariants-sublineages-wave-infections/101617744, Your information is being handled in accordance with the, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article. By these metrics, XBB is potentially more immune evasive than BQ.1 and its parent BA.5, and might have a growth advantage which could increase virus spread. The CDC is already attributing 5.7% of cases in the U.S. to the BQ.1 variant and forty-seven sequences to XBB according to data from an international research organization that tracks these strains. The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been the sole "variant of concern" since Delta was downgraded to "previous variant of concern" in June this year. Copyright 2022 KGO-TV. It's important to note what COVID-19 symptoms may appear as, considering the latest BA.5 variant remains the country's dominant driver of infections, and that the pandemic is facing its third . Fewer people are getting tested, but of those that do,a larger proportion are testing positive. SYMPTOMS OF OMICRON XBB VARIANT Dr Baidya says the symptoms of XBB variant are not very dangerous and worrisome. The majority point to variants XBB and BQ.1. If signs and symptoms worsen, they should seek medical attention. Senior Investigator at the Gladstone Institutes, Nadia Roan explains: "They have mutated their surface protein in a way so that the antibodies, solicited by either prior infection or by vaccination, they don't work as well essentially against them. Pune has reported one case each of these variants.

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