An advance of the XBB.1.5 subline of the coronavirus variant Omikron is also occurring in Europe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent data from some countries in the region began to point to the increasing presence of XBB.1.5, Hans Kluge said Tuesday.
WHO is concerned about XBB.1.5
Kluge is the director of the WHO regional office for Europe. Cases are being detected in small but growing numbers, he said. Work is underway to assess the potential impact of this, he said.
Corona in Europe – signs of XBB.1.5 spread detected
After three long years of the pandemic, he said, one cannot afford further pressure on health systems. Regarding the intensified Corona situation in China, Kluge shared the current assessment of the EU health authority ECDC that the increase in case numbers there is not expected to impact the epidemiological situation in Europe significantly. According to the available information, the variants circulating in China are those already seen in Europe and elsewhere.
However, Kluge said, one should not become complacent. He said it is not inappropriate for countries to take precautionary measures to protect their populations. However, he said, countries introducing preventive travel measures should ensure that they are rooted in science, appropriate, and non-discriminatory.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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