In the US, a significant part of the new corona infections can be traced back to the only recently discovered XBB.1.5 variant. The US health authority CDC estimates that XBB.1.5 was behind about 40.5 percent of all new infections in the week before the turn of the year.
According to the GGD, the variant could be more easily transferable. “We have been tracking XBB.1.5 since mid-November and its frequency has doubled approximately every week,” Richard Neher, head of the research group Evolution of Viruses and Bacteria at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, told the German news agency.
No evidence of more serious courses
The variant is characterized by the F486P mutation in the so-called spike protein. This is the part of the virus it uses to attach itself to human cells. “This mutation may improve binding to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. What this means exactly is not clear,” emphasizes Neher. He is not aware of any indications that XBB.1.5 leads to more serious disease progressions. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wrote on Twitter about the American figures: “You should pay attention to that .”
The variant XBB.1.5, which is related to the omicron subvariant BA.2, is not mentioned in the latest Corona weekly report from the Robert Koch Institute. However, the report was published on December 22. (SDA/chs)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
