Rapid rise in BQ.1.1 variant of COVID-19 virus in Quebec

sub . riseVariables BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are accelerating in Quebec. The presence of these two Omicron strains, which are able to partially trick the immune system, more than doubled in one week, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Public Health in Quebec (INSPQ).

between 16 and 22 October, more than one case COVID-19 Out of the 10 sequences in Quebec that have been linked to these variants, they are gaining traction across the United States and Europe. In the past week, these two variant sublines accounted for only 5% to 6% of cases.

This rapid progress is consistent with what has been observed elsewhere in North America, particularly in New York, which is the city’s measure of epidemic progress, where BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 subvariables It now accounts for nearly a third of cases. In California, 15% are associated with it.

These are successors Variable Omicron They are under investigation for their ability to partially evade immunity conferred by vaccines targeting the progenitor lineage of the virus or by previous infection with other omicron sub-variants.

Many experts predict that BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 will be removed soon sub variant BA.5, the most common at the moment, will be the source of the next winter wave of infection.

With winter approaching, these experts are especially concerned about this fact This line is resistant to monoclonal antibodiesThis will limit the treatments available to people with a severe form of the disease in hospital and possibly extend their hospital stay.

The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention also plans to That these new branch lines will be the source of more than 50% of infections in Europe by the end of November and that they will be largely dominant (80%) at the beginning of 2023.

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