‘Impact of new Covid variants under study'
The development about the new variants was shared on the basis of information available on WHO's dashboard of CoViNet.
Dr Khairnar informed that one case of the NB.1.8.1 variant was identified in Tamil Nadu in April, and four cases of the LF.7 variant were detected in Gujarat in May. "These are new variants, so they have to be constantly monitored to understand their transmissibility and virulence. Correlation with clinical symptoms, mortality, or morbidity shall establish their actual impact," Dr Khairnar said.
WHO had in February 2024 chosen the Neeri Environmental Epidemiology and Pandemic Management (EEPM) division, led by principal scientist and head Khairnar, as a reference lab for tracking emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other viruses.
Khairnar said both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring. "These variants have been associated with rising Covid-19 cases in parts of Asia, including China.
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NB.1.8.1 possesses spike protein mutations — A435S, V445H, and T478I — that may enhance transmissibility and immune evasion," he said.
WHO's preliminary assessment indicates a low global public health risk from NB.1.8.1, Khairnar pointed out. As of May 19, India has 257 active Covid-19 cases. The predominant variant remains JN.1, accounting for 53% of samples tested, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sublineages (20%).
Localized increase in Covid-19 cases has been observed in several regions. Delhi reported 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh recorded four cases in the last 24 hours, and Telangana confirmed one new case. A nine-month-old in Bengaluru tested positive amid a gradual rise over the past 20 days. Kerala reported 273 cases in May alone. In Nagpur, four new cases were found this month so far.
"The wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is ongoing and observing an upward trend of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies.
This trend is yet to be correlated with recent circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in India," Khairnar said.
A recent meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services, with key health institutions, reviewed the current situation. Health experts emphasize that while the new variants are being monitored, the overall risk remains low. The public is advised to continue practising preventive measures such as wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene to minimise infection risk.
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