From BA.1 to XBB.1: The layman no longer knows all the names of the different virus variants. Which ones do we actually have, in which distribution and above all: which subforms could be potentially dangerous for us? Together with experts, we have filtered the most important information for you from the jumble of letters.
A number of variants have emerged from Omikron, which now also roams through Austria. The BA.5 variant including its sublines is still the most common with us. In particular, other sub-variants and crosses may become increasingly important to us.
But let’s start at the beginning. Here is an overview of the “family tree” of virus variants:
Three strands, many subgroups
So to speak, three main lines that are relevant to us have emerged from Omicron: BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. Variants one and three – at least in Austria – play no role or no longer play a role.
The subforms of BA.2
With BA.2 it looks a bit different. This resulted in the sub-variants BA.4 – which is not very relevant with a share of two to three percent of the cases in this country, but almost over – and BA.5.
The BA.5 share of all confirmed cases in Austria accounts for about 65 percent. Although BA.5 in its “pure”, ie quasi-original form, is already “decaying” with us, explains molecular biologist Ulrich Elling, “sublines of BA.5 are already emerging”.
BA.5 subvariants are increasing rapidly
On the one hand, there is the BA.5 sub-line BF.7: their share of all confirmed cases in Austria is currently around 25 percent.
On the other hand, there are the BA.5 subvariants BQ.1 and BA.1.1, each of which makes up about two and a half percent of our population, according to the researcher. And they’re especially attracting the attention of science because they’re “increasing rapidly nationally and internationally,” Elling said.
BA.2.75 lines hardly increase
Although these sublines of BA.2 are increasingly found in Europe, America and Africa, there are other “subs” of BA.2 or their crosses in Asia: for example, the subvariant BJ.1 has not been established and is very rare.
Another BA.2 subline is BA.2.75 or their daughters like BA.2.75.2 – because strictly speaking BA.2.75 alone does not exist. The percentage of cases here is only one to two percent, the expert knows: These BA.2.75 subforms “barely increase and therefore do not play a major role”.
Strong growing hybrids
However, the mutation-rich variants of BA.2.75 and BJ.1 have been crossed: this is how the subline XBB and its descendant XBB.1 were created, so to speak. In Austria they are still very rare at the moment, but according to Elling the number curve rises steeply in countries where the variants can already be found in large numbers.
High Immune Escape
There is now good data on the subject of immune escape for some variants. Simply put, immune escape means that the virus mutates in such a way that antibodies that were once effective against the original virus are less able to fight the new variant in question.
According to Elling, the immune system’s escape is very high in BA.2.75 and BQ.1.1, and “even stronger” in XBB. Immunologically, these variants are even further removed from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus than SARS1 from 2002.
The bottom line is that we can only say: let’s keep hoping for the best possible autumn and winter and prepare and behave accordingly – keywords vaccination and mask.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
