Covid: the XBB.1.5 sub-variant, dominant in the United States, threatens to impose itself in France within 1-2 months

XBB.1.5 is a growing concern internationally, due to its explosion in the United States. In France, specialists, the media and the population fear its spread. But where is it exactly? Does this sub variant exist? Is it the majority?

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XBB.1.5 dominates France ‘within 1-2 months’

XBB.1.5 is a close relative of the omicron variant XBB, which is composed of the sub-variants Omicron BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75, according to a US health official. In the United States, this new sub-variant overtook the other variants that were prevalent (and shared with that in France) and became the majority.

On every laboratory sequencing in AmericaXBB.1.5 was the most detected with 43%. A week ago, it was second only to BQ.1.1, with 30.4% of the sequence.

This transatlantic spread along with many other factors has led the European Union Health Agency (ECDC) to believe that XBB.1.5 could “become the dominant strain in European countries, including France,” within one to two months. According to reports BFM-TV.

XBB.1.5 is struggling to establish itself in France

In France, this sub variant of Omicron is struggling to find a place. “The XBB.1.5 substrain, which is widespread in the United States, appears to be spreading quietly in metropolitan France. It was initially detected during week 48 of 2022 (November 28 to December 4) and has remained since. Very low. Levels (less than 1%)”, detail The latest report from Public Health France about the last week of December.

Currently, “subspecies BQ.1.1 is the most detected. It (all subspecies included) accounted for 69% of sequences scanned during the last week of 2022, followed by BF.7 (5%), BQ.1 (4%) and BA.5.2 (1%)”, analyzes the rapid survey from Public Health France.