Omicron's New Super Aggressive XBB Variant Strikes Fear Of Another Covid-19 Wave

KEY POINTS

The new Covid subvariant is believed to pose threat to those vaccinated
XBB is a combination of two Omicron sub-lineages
It has spread to more than 17 countries, including Australia and Singapore

A new class of Omicron subvariant is on the rise, triggering major concerns among health officials. Minted XBB or Gryphon, the super aggressive subvariant is reported to be more destructive than other threatening variants of Covid-19 out there.

Amid rising concerns over XBB, health officials have called on the public to be cautious if they experience flu-like symptoms. The variant seems to pose a threat to those immune from a previous bout of Covid-19 infection, and even those who are vaccinated, according to reports.

"It's early days and we have a lot to learn," said William Schaffner, M.D., at the Vanderbilt University of Medicine.

XBB is the combination of two Omicron sub-lineages BJ.1 and BA.2.75.

"XBB is a hybrid version of two strains of the BA.2 form of Omicron," explained Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the John Hopkins Center for Health Security, adding that it's spreading fast in Singapore.

First detected in August in India, XBB has spread to more than 17 countries so far, including Australia, Bangladesh, Denmark, Japan, and the U.S., according to Singapore's Ministry of Health.

XBB and other recently detected Omicron strains "are the most antibody-evasive strain tested, far exceeding BA.5 and approaching SARS-CoV-1 level," said a recent study presented in October.

For those unversed, SARS-CoV-1 is a viral respiratory illness that could lead to pneumonia and breathing issues in many people. The study pointed out that XBB and other Omicron variants "are the most antibody-evasive strain tested." They are said to evade antibodies like Evusheld and Bebtelovimab.

So far, there have been no reports of aggressive symptoms in those infected by the XBB variant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms include fevers, chills, cough, breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Apart from Singapore, XBB, as well as new subvariants BA.2.3.20 and BQ.1, are steadily spreading in India.