The number of XBB.1.5 subvariants in India has increased to five from one since it was first reported from Gujarat a few days ago. According to the most recent information from INSACOG, over 40% of Covid cases in the US now come from this subvariant, which was recently detected in at least three samples from Gujarat and one each from Karnataka and Rajasthan.

A top INSACOG official stated that assessment of the clinical data was ongoing and nothing out of the ordinary has been reported in the five individuals infected with XBB.1.5. Numerous mutations have been identified in Omicron, although impact of the more recent subvariants in India seems less. As long as the virus is spreading, all that is required is caution and proper Covid behaviour.

One of the officials from the  Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), involved in genome sequencing of the Gujarat samples detected with XBB.1.5, said the patients with infection showed mild symptoms like cough, fever or were asymptomatic. Only one of the three infected had a travel history to US and all the three XBB.1.5 patients recovered within a few days of home quarantine.

Dr. Rakesh Mishra, head of the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society stated that no significant increase in Covid cases in India is anticipated due to these subvariants,. Despite their detection, India has not noticed any appreciable increases in instances. One may predict that there will be more XBB.1.5 cases in India than the present data as travelling has increased. India’s main defense against these Omicron subvariants is the hybrid immunity India has developed through vaccination and natural infection.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/xbb-1-5-tally-rises-to-5-in-india-patients-show-mild-symptoms/96698969)