my country has detected 15 cases for the first time! Is XBB.1.16 highly contagious? Here comes the authoritative response

Recently, a new variant has attracted the attention of scientists. This Omicron subspecies, also known as "Arcturus", XBB.1.16, has been designated as a "variant under surveillance" by the World Health Organization.

On April 15, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced the latest situation of the novel coronavirus infection in the country. The data showed that a total of 328 local variants of concern were detected, including 15 cases of XBB.1.16, which was the first time that XBB.1.16 was detected in my country.

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Regarding the novel coronavirus XBB.1.16 variant, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement today stating that XBB.1.16 is a recombinant strain of the novel coronavirus Omicron, belonging to the XBB family, and is popularly named "Arcturus". It is one of the more than 600 variants currently prevalent in the world, and one of the 137 XBB subbranches.

At the same time, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention also stated that the level of XBB.1.16 among domestic cases in my country remains extremely low and has not formed a transmission advantage.

How popular is XBB.1.16 at home and abroad?

As of April 18, at least 33 countries or regions around the world have reported 3,647 XBB.1.16 variants, mainly from India (63.4%), the United States (10.9%) and Singapore (6.9%). The proportion of XBB.1.16 in the sequences reported by India has increased rapidly since March, and it has now become the main prevalent strain in India. Among the variants currently prevalent in the United States, XBB.1.5 is still the main one, but the proportions of XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9.1 have increased recently. Due to the prevalence of XBB.1.16 in some Asian countries, the proportion of XBB.1.16 in recent imported cases in my country has increased. XBB.1.16 in local cases in my country remains at an extremely low level and has not formed a transmission advantage.

What are the features of XBB.1.16?

Have the symptoms it causes changed?

Foreign studies have shown that the transmission efficiency of XBB.1.16 is slightly higher than that of the previously prevalent XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 variants, and the immune escape ability of XBB.1.16 is comparable to that of XBB.1.5. At present, there are no reports of increased hospitalization or death due to infection with XBB.1.16, nor have there been reports of higher disease severity compared with other Omicron subclades, but in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with underlying diseases, it is not ruled out that individual differences may cause more severe clinical manifestations.

Can XBB.1.16 cause conjunctivitis?

India and some international media reported that XBB.1.16 can cause itchy and red eyes (conjunctivitis) in children, with "sticky eyes" and non-pus. Similar eye symptoms have also been reported in cases of infection with the previously prevalent new coronavirus strain. If such symptoms occur recently, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

How to avoid infection with XBB.1.16?

At present, immunity retained from vaccination or previous infection can still provide individuals with a certain degree of immune protection. When the public is in an exposed environment, crowded places, or in contact with vulnerable groups, it is still recommended to wear a mask. At the same time, do a good job of self-health monitoring, especially the elderly and vulnerable groups such as those with underlying diseases should pay special attention to self-protection.

Comprehensive sources: National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, People's Daily Online Science Popularization, etc.