We’re Essentially Blind To Covid Virus Mutating: WHO Chief Warns Against Sublineages Of Omicron BA.4 & BA.5

The highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid-19 was first detected in southern Africa in November 2021 and it spread rapidly around the world.

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (File Photo)

New Delhi: World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday during a press brief expressed concern over the heavily-mutated Omicron even as BA.2 remains dominant in most parts of the world, while sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 are driving a new surge in South Africa.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid-19 was first detected in southern Africa in November 2021 and it spread rapidly around the world. It is now the dominant variant, accounting for almost all new cases.

"The South African scientists who identified Omicron late last year have now reported 2 more Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 & BA.5, as the reason for a spike in cases in South Africa."
-@DrTedros https://t.co/PzmRrSpkJ9

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 4, 2022

Tedros cautioned, “In many countries, we’re essentially blind to how the virus is mutating. We don’t know what’s coming next." WHO's latest report showed that the sub-lineages "have acquired a few additional mutations that may impact their characteristics."

"It’s too soon to know whether these new subvariants can cause more severe disease than other [#COVID19] Omicron subvariants, but early data suggests vaccination remains protective against severe disease & death."-@DrTedroshttps://t.co/iRzZpT9uPP

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 4, 2022

Tedros on Wednesday pointed out that it's "too soon to know whether these new sub-variants can cause more severe disease than other Omicron sub-variants." Though he further said that early data has suggested that the vaccines are protective against severe conditions and death. 

"It’s too soon to know whether these new subvariants can cause more severe disease than other [#COVID19] Omicron subvariants, but early data suggests vaccination remains protective against severe disease & death."-@DrTedroshttps://t.co/iRzZpT9uPP

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 4, 2022