Philippines detects first XBF case, 2 new cases of XBB.1.5

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (pink) infected with the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (yellow), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/02/15/covid-19-niaid-02152023.jpg"/><figcaption>Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (pink) infected with the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (yellow), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. <em>Credit: NIAID</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines has detected its first case of omicron subvariant XBF, which is linked to the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in Australia and Sweden, according to the Department of Health.</p><p>Based on the agency&#x27;s latest COVID-19 biosurveillance report issued Wednesday, 2 new cases of omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 were also detected, raising its tally to 3.</p><p>According to experts, XBB.1.5, dubbed the &quot;Kraken,&quot; is the most transmissible COVID-19 subvariant so far.</p><p>Both subvariants are classified by the World Health Organization as subvariants under monitoring.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/23/filipino-with-no-travel-history-is-ph-first-xbb15-case">Filipino with no travel history is Philippines&#x27; first XBB.1.5 case - DOH</a></li></ul><p>The DOH said the XBF is a recombinant sublineage of BA.5.2.3 and CJ.1 (BA.2.75.3 sublineage), which was initially flagged for its increasing prevalence and had been associated with recent case increases in Australia and Sweden.</p><p>A recent wastewater analysis revealed that XBF accounted for approximately 55 percent of total cases detected in Victoria, Australia.</p><p>Preliminary studies also showed that many of Australia’s antiviral treatments against COVID-19 were no longer effective against multiple omicron subvariants circulating in the country, including XBF.</p><p>&quot;However, currently available evidence for XBF does not suggest any differences in disease severity and/or clinical manifestations compared to the original omicron variant,&quot; the DOH report read.</p><p>&quot;Currently, the subvariant is still reported under omicron by the WHO and will remain classified under omicron until sufficient evidence arises showing that the virus characteristics are significantly different from omicron,&quot; it added. </p><p>The DOH said the XBF sample was collected in December 2022 and was sequenced on Jan. 28, 2023.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/06/23/xbb15-likely-to-be-the-next-major-covid-subvariant">XBB.1.5 likely to be the next major COVID subvariant</a></li></ul><p>Out of 69 samples sequenced by health authorities February 7-9, 26 were classified as XBB (including 2 cases classified as XBB.1.5), 10 as BA.2.3.20, 3 as BA.5 (including 1 case classified as BQ.1), 2 as BA.2.75, 1 case as XBC, and 20 as other omicron sublineages.</p><p>Of the 26 XBB cases, 1 case was classified as a returning overseas Filipino and the rest were local cases from Regions 2, 3, 4A, 7, 10, 11, and NCR (including 2 cases classified as XBB.1.5), the DOH said.</p><p>All additional BA.2.3.20 cases were local cases from Regions 1, 2, 4A, 9, 11, CAR, and NCR. Meanwhile, out of 3 reported BA.5 cases, 2 cases were ROFs and 1 was a local case from Region 1 (including 1 case classified as BQ.1). The 2 recently detected BA.2.75 cases were classified as ROFs while the XBC case was a local case from Region 11, the agency added.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2466915" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Philippines has detected its first case of omicron subvariant XBF, which is linked to the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in Australia and Sweden.

Philippines detects first XBF case, 2 new cases of XBB.1.5 | ABS-CBN

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Philippines detects first XBF case, 2 new cases of XBB.1.5

Philippines detects first XBF case, 2 new cases of XBB.1.5

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 15, 2023 02:14 PM PHT

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