A Vancouver expert weighs in on the sub-variant that is circulating in the United States.
The spread of a new sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of the coronavirus has caused concern around the world — but a Vancouver expert says traditional precautions will help slow its spread in British Columbia
Dubbed the “Kraken variant,” the XBB.1.5 strain is spreading rapidly in parts of the United States, most notably in New York, Dr. Sara Otto, a professor in the department of zoology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), said Vancouver is great .
Although 24 copies of the newly discovered subvariant have been published in the Global Avian Influenza Data Sharing Initiative (GISAID) in Canada, the line has “a mutation (S: F486P) that is spreading rapidly to other jurisdictions,” she explained.
“This mutation is interesting because it carries two changes in the DNA code, relative to the Wuhan ancestor, at position 486 in the spike protein, which allows this strain to ‘reach further’, combining both the high efficiency of binding to the ACE2 receptor of our cells, while masking itself from our immune system.”
The scientists didn’t see a significant change in symptoms with XBB.1.5, but it did show a “transmission advantage,” Otto said.
With this advantage, the new subvariant is expected to continue the turnover in variants that have led to “high and relatively persistent levels” of COVID-19 in Canada over the past six months.
To slow its spread, long-standing rules for COVID-19 apply: get a booster shot when you can, wear a mask in cozy or crowded indoor spaces, and invest in improved air ventilation systems.
British Columbia’s health minister says he supports Ottawa’s decision to temporarily require people flying from China, Hong Kong and Macau to test negative for COVID-19 before traveling to Canada, starting in early January.
Adrian Dix says in a news release that the province will continue to closely monitor the global COVID-19 situation while working with its federal partners to ensure the public is protected and informed.
VIA has reached out to the Department of Health for further comment.
With files from the Canadian Press.
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