BQ.1.1 is the name of the new coronavirus variant that is making a name for itself among experts. The World Health Organization monitors them. It is currently spreading rapidly, especially in the US, France and Germany.
German bioinformatician Cornelius Römer warned on Twitter that the new variant would lead to a new wave of variants in Europe and North America before the end of November. BQ.1.1 should also prevail in Switzerland in the coming weeks, says canton doctor Rudolf Hauri (62), in a Blick interview. “It will give wings to the current corona wave.”
Biophysicist Richard Neher of the Biozentrum of the University of Basel also assumes this. “BQ.1.1 is a variant that can partially circumvent existing immunity,” he explains when asked. “The variant has been increasing in frequency for some time now.”
Already at 5 to 15 percent
In fact, the new Omikron variant – a descendant of the BA.5 type that is still predominant in this country – has already arrived in Switzerland. “Depending on the region, according to our latest data, BQ.1.1 made up 5 to 15 percent of all sequences,” Simon Ming of the Federal Office of Health (BAG) told Blick. However, the latest data is from mid-October, so “the current share is probably already higher”.
BA.5 is still the dominant variant, but the share of the new variant is increasing, both in the sequencing of clinical samples and in wastewater analysis. And it should continue to rise, because: “Compared to the currently dominant BA.5, BQ.1.1 is better able to evade current immunity and can therefore spread more easily.”
More corona cases expected
This also has an effect on the current corona wave. “Given current data, we expect BQ.1.1 to be the dominant omicron subvariant in Switzerland in the coming weeks,” said the BAG spokesperson. “This will most likely lead to a renewed increase in the number of cases.”
Biophysicist Neher points out that there are a few other variants that are similarly immune evasive and often modified at similar points in the spike protein as BQ.1.1. “We expect these variants to become dominant in the coming weeks,” he says. “Together with the onset of the cold season, this could lead to an increase in the number of cases.”
After all, the new variant must not have a decisive influence on the hospital burden. The BAG estimates the subtype as “no more dangerous for the individual than previous omicron variants”. There is currently no evidence that it leads to more serious diseases than the other variants.
vaccination campaign is underway
The campaign for a new booster vaccination is currently underway in Switzerland. To what extent this also helps against the new subtype remains open for the time being. The data is not yet sufficient for a reliable statement.
Conversely, there is so far no evidence that the currently available vaccines in the new variant would offer less protection against serious courses. Therefore, the booster vaccination for people over 65 and at risk groups is still recommended.
Authorities remain vigilant
It is now clear that the coronavirus will continue to mutate in the future. The emergence of a more dangerous variant cannot therefore be ruled out – even if, for example, canton doctor Hauri no longer expects a real game changer.
But the authorities remain vigilant. BAG spokesperson Ming also emphasizes: “The BAG is closely monitoring epidemiological developments inside and outside Switzerland.”