Latest news with #XFG
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
LF.7.9, XFG sub-variants of SARS-CoV2 detected in Odisha as cases surge
BHUBANESWAR: Amid growing concern over a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country, Odisha has detected two of the latest SARS-CoV2 sub-variants raising fresh public health alerts, especially during the monsoon that sees spurt in flu cases. Of the five samples sequenced so far in May, sources at the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said, the state has recorded two cases of LF.7.9 cases and three cases of XFG, both descendants of Omicron, which had led to long Covid waves in 2020-22 killing millions of people. The two sub-lineages, now fuelling cases in the country, are specifically traced back to JN.1, the variant behind global waves in late 2023 and early 2024. Odisha is among the first few states which have detected the new strain XFG. While the LF.7 is now under observation along with two others - NB.1.9.1 and PL.8.1 by the WHO as variants-under-monitoring, the studies are underway to determine the transmissibility and potential impact of XFG. 'Though these variants do not appear to be causing severe disease so far, they are marked by higher transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. Their spike protein mutations may enhance their ability to bind to human lung cells. But vaccine-induced protection against symptomatic and severe disease will remain effective,' a scientist associated with the genome sequencing told TNIE.
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
New COVID strain found in Montreal wastewater: health ministry
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 has mutated into two new variants that are circulating across Asia, Europe and North America, and Quebec's public health authority warns one of the strains was detected in Montreal wastewater data. The variant found in Quebec, XFG, has also been detected in wastewater in other parts of Canada, the United States, and Europe. Another new strain, NB.1.8.1, is associated with a rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations in China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, according to Marie-Pierre Blier, a spokesperson from the health ministry. Although XFG has made its way to Quebec, public health authorities assure there is no need to panic. Blier wrote in an email that it hasn't markedly impacted public health, adding that the ministry continues to monitor the situation closely. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels through public wastewater data, saying infection levels were not rising in North America and Europe as of May 11, 2025. It rates the overall public health risk of COVID-19 as low. Despite the increase in cases and hospitalizations in Asia, Blier suggested there is no evidence that the new strains are more serious or have caused more deaths than other circulating variants. She added that the current COVID-19 vaccines seem to be effective in protecting against severe forms of the disease. Blier wrote the current situation is very similar to the same time last year, when the new variant KP.2 was circulating. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the health ministry recommends staying home if you have a fever, wearing a mask if you have a cough or sore throat, and avoiding contact with immunocompromised or elderly people until symptoms disappear. This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM.
India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Covid-19 cases rising: What is the status of India's vaccine stockpile?
As cases of Covid-19 show signs of resurgence, sources in the government have assured that India has enough vaccine stockpile for its citizens and support exports to other countries, if 1,010 active cases were recorded as of May 26, with new infections reported from Noida, Lucknow, Karnataka, Mumbai, Arunachal Pradesh, and Varanasi, raising concerns of another potential sources told India Today that there is an ample stockpile of Covid-19 vaccines ready for deployment. "We are fully prepared for any situation. We have enough stockpile to meet the requirements of our citizens. Moreover, if needed, we can even supply vaccines to other countries," the sources Most of India, nearly 1 billion people, have received at least one dose of Covishield or manufactured under licence from AstraZeneca by the Serum Institute of India (SII), ceased its production in December 2021 due to reduced Covaxin, India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Virology, stopped production in early the halt in manufacturing, officials say that vaccine availability is not a concern. India's existing vaccines were not designed to target these newer subvariants. () While doctors attribute this surge to the unpredictable seasonal pattern of respiratory illnesses, global health authorities point to diminishing protection from previous infections and vaccinations that could be playing a role in regional India, the dominant strains currently in circulation are LF.7, XFG, and JN.1, alongside the new Omicron sub-lineage variants have overlapping symptoms that closely mimic the common flu: cough, runny nose, sore throat, low-grade fever, headaches, body aches, and, in some cases, gastrointestinal the seasonal behaviour of SARS-CoV-2 now mirrors that of other respiratory viruses, driven by periodic mutations, there's a main difference: India's existing vaccines were not designed to target these newer this, health experts maintain that those who have been previously infected or vaccinated, especially within the past year, are still expected to retain some degree of protection against severe illness, even if they contract a mutated version of the virus. Most of India, nearly 1 billion people, have received at least one dose of Covishield or Covaxin. () Whether India will require updated Covid-19 vaccines remains under evaluation. However, emerging research offers reassurance.A recent study by the University of Arizona Health Sciences, published in Nature Immunology, found that prior vaccination continues to provide strong immune protection, even against newer variants like Delta and it may reduce the body's ability to generate variant-specific antibodies, vaccinated individuals still mounted a more robust immune response compared to those who were never InMust Watch
AsiaOne
23-05-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Covid shots should target newer strains of JN.1 variant in 2025-26 campaign, US FDA advisers say , World News
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers unanimously recommended on Thursday (May 22) that Covid-19 vaccines for the 2025 to 2026 period should target newer strains of the JN.1 variant. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the LP.8.1 strain — a subvariant of the previously recommended JN.1 strain — accounted for 70 per cent of total cases in the United States over a two-week period ended May 10. While the LP.8.1 is the predominant circulating strain, other virus subvariants, including LF.7 and XFG, have also been increasingly detected in recent weeks, FDA documents showed earlier this week. The FDA panel's recommendation aligns with the European Medicines Agency's panel, which recently advised updating Covid vaccines to target the LP.8.1 strain. Meanwhile, a team of experts from the World Health Organisation has also declared vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 strain as a "suitable alternative" to the current ones. [[nid:714906]]
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Covid-19 shots should target newer strains of JN.1 variant in 2025-26 campaign, US FDA advisers say
Covid-19 shots should target newer strains of JN.1 variant in 2025-26 campaign, US FDA advisers say US Food and Drug Administration advisers unanimously recommended on Thursday that Covid-19 vaccines for the 2025-26 period should target newer strains of the JN.1 variant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the LP.8.1 strain — a subvariant of the previously recommended JN.1 strain — accounted for 70% of total cases in the United States over a two-week period ended May 10. While the LP.8.1 is the predominant circulating strain, other virus subvariants, including LF.7 and XFG, have also been increasingly detected in recent weeks, FDA documents showed earlier this week. The FDA panel's recommendation aligns with the European Medicines Agency's panel, which recently advised updating Covid-19 vaccines to target the LP.8.1 strain. Meanwhile, a team of experts from the World Health Organization has also declared vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 strain as a "suitable alternative" to the current ones. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
