The World Health Organization (WHO) is evaluating an expansion Subvariant de coronavirus XBB.1.5, which has already reached Spain. Although rapid expansion has occurred in the United States, where the first case was detected, Known as the Kraken version It has been found in 25 countries. In Europe, apart from Spain, cases have also been reported in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it is spreading rapidly.
The XBB.1.5 sub-variant is a descendant of Omicron and is closer to the XBB variant that swept through India in Singapore in the fall. Kraken name It was coined by Ryan Gregory, professor of biological evolution at the University of Guelph in Canada, who coined it in reference to the sea monster of the same name.
Its main features are greater convenience for entering cells and broadcast soon according to experts.
The World Health Organization has warned of a rapid spread in Europe and understands that it is already spreading around the world and, although there is no concern about an increase in the death toll, the speed at which it is spreading and there is concern about the ease of its transformation. « We are concerned about its growth potential, especially in Europe and the US, where other circulating variants have quickly replaced, Our concern is that it is so contagious because the more this virus is transmitted, the more opportunities it has to mutate,” explains Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for coronavirus.
For its part, WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has assured that the organization is “closely monitoring and evaluating the risk of this subvariant and will report accordingly” on new data received.
