Department of Science Revealing the proportion of hybrid XBB strains in Thailand, infected people have been found spread across all health zones.
Dr. Suphakit Sirilak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences Update the situation of surveillance of the strain of COVID-19 and species monitored in Thailand by the Department of Medical Sciences in conjunction with the laboratory network Continuously monitor the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus strains.
Dr. Supakit said that two weeks ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) adjusted the closely monitored species by adding XBB.1.16* as a surveillance species or Variants of Interest (VOI). The latest in early May 2023, the World Health Organization. Add XBB.1.9.2* as Variants under monitoring (VUM)
1) 2 VOI i.e. XBB.1.5* and XBB.1.16*
2) VUM 7 i.e. BA.2.75, CH .1.1, BQ.1, XBB , XBB.1.9.1 , XBB.1.9.2* and XBF
The global situation of SARS-CoV-2 strains is based on the GISAID central database for the week of April 10-16, 2023. The proportion of strains was different from the previous month as follows: • XBB.1.5* reports from 106 countries
representing 46.7%, decreased from 49.3%
• XBB.1.16* reported from 40 countries, representing 5.7%, increased from 2.0%
• XBB , XBB.1.9.1 and XBB.1.9.2* tended to increase
• BA. 2.75 , CH.1.1 , BQ.1* and XBF* trend down
The latest situation in Thailand in the past week Between May 1-7, 2023, there is a genetic decoding. Out of 372 cases of COVID-19, 323 were hybrids, representing 86.8%, with infections found spread across all health areas. Proportion of species examined this week More than 74% of hybrids were found in all health districts. Except for health zone 5, which has few samples for testing. The most common strain was XBB.1.16*, accounting for 27.7%, followed by XBB.1.5*, accounting for 22.0%, while BN.1*, which had been the main strain in Thailand since the end of 2022, accounted for the proportion. reduce
Dr. Supakit continued that according to the WHO has announced the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern of COVID-19. used for more than 3 years after the number of deaths decreased And people returned to normal life. However, the WHO also emphasized that even if the emergency is over But will continue to watch out for the pathogen causing COVID-19 New strains that endanger the global public health situation further. Including Thailand itself still has measures to deal with COVID-19 as before. People are advised to be careful in their actions, wash hands and wear a mask if they go. attending a crowded event or going to a public place and immunization needle vaccination is still very much needed Especially the fragile or risk group 608 will help reduce severe symptoms and death.
“The Department of Medical Sciences has coordinated with hospitals across the country to send samples of COVID-19 patients across the country, both Thais and foreigners, to test for more strains. Please be assured that the Department of Medical Sciences and its networks will continue to Continue to monitor the mutation of SARS-CoV-2. And regularly published on the international database GISAID " Dr. Supakit Said.
Source: Thai News Agency