Update on the omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Trina Ekawati Tallei, Saad Alhumaid, Zainab AlMusa, Diah Kusumawaty, Ahlam Alynbiawi, Abeer N Alshukairi, Ali A Rabaan

Journal: Reviews in medical virology 2023;33(1):e2391

PMID: 36017597

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Abstract

Several nations have recently begun to relax their public health protocols, particularly regarding the use of face masks when engaging in outdoor activities. This is because there has been a general trend towards fewer cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, new Omicron sub-variants (designated BA.4 and BA.5) have recently emerged. These two subvariants are thought to be the cause of an increase in COVID-19 cases in South Africa, the United States, and Europe. They have also begun to spread throughout Asia. They evolved from the Omicron lineage with characteristics that make them even more contagious and which allow them to circumvent immunity from a previous infection or vaccination. This article reviews a number of scientific considerations about these new variants, including their apparently reduced clinical severity.

Address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.; Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.; Infectious Disease Section, Internal Medicine Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.; Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia.; Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Specialties Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2391

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MeSH Terms: Humans, COVID-19, Asia, Europe, Public Health, South Africa