The reason for such claims is that XBB15 has acquired several critical mutations, making it the most immune-evasive escape variant to date.
The XBB15 Covid super variant, which is responsible for the recent wave of Covid infections in the United States and the United Kingdom, has arrived in Telangana.
According to the most recent genomic sequencing data from Hyderabad-based genetic laboratories affiliated with the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortium (INSACOG), three XBB15 positive cases have been reported in Telangana.
The new Covid super variant XBB15 is spreading quickly.
In the last two weeks, genetic laboratories affiliated with INSACOG in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, and a few other states have increased sample collection from Covid positive patients for genetic sequencing to identify Covid strains circulating locally.
Between December and January 2, six XBB14 infections were reported in India, three from Telangana, two from Maharashtra, and one from Gujarat.
Geneticists from the United States, including the first scientist to detect XBB15 in New Work, JP Weiland, have stated that the US variant (XBB15) is poised to ‘wipe the board’ of most other variants circulating globally, and will likely cause significant waves in most countries.
Such claims are made because XBB15 has acquired several critical mutations, making it the most immune-evasive escape variant to date. It spreads much faster than previous Omicron variants, leading to an increase in hospitalisations in US cities.
In fact, within a week, the XBB15 variant was responsible for more than 40% of Covid infections in the United States and the United Kingdom. Because of its ability to quickly infect, geneticists have unofficially dubbed it ‘Kraken,’ after the mythical Scandinavian sea monster.
The Omicron XBB variant is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sub-variants. Because XBB15 is highly immune evasive, geneticists and scientists believe that the global spread of the XBB15 super variant from the United States is unavoidable.
Noted epidemiologist, Dr Eric Feigl-Ding in microblogging site Twitter said “When XBB15 shows up, all the variants basically bite the dust. The key advantage of XBB15 is that it has much higher immunity escape and higher human cell ACE2 binding, which confers higher cell infectivity”.
Given the experience of having to deal with three consecutive Covid waves in the last three years, the rapid spread of XBB15 has many in Hyderabad feeling a sense of déjà vu.
While the full impact of the XBB15 super variant on the Indian population will be known in the coming days, senior health officials have advised caution and urged people to begin taking precautions at all levels right away.
