Rapid rise of the BQ.1.1 subvariant of the COVID-19 virus in Quebec

Sub growthtransformations BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are accelerating in Quebec. The presence of these two successors of Omicron, which can partially fool the immune system, more than doubled in one week, revealed the latest data from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ).

Between October 16 and 22, More than one case COVID-19 10 sequences in Quebec are linked to these variants, which are gaining strength across the United States and Europe. In the previous week, these two variant sublines accounted for only 5% to 6% of cases.

This rapid progression is consistent with that observed in North America, particularly in New York, a city barometer of the epidemic’s progression, where BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 subvariants. Now there are about one-third of the cases. In California, 15% are tied to it.

These descendants of Omicron variant They are under scrutiny for their ability to partially evade the immunity conferred by vaccines targeting the ancestral strain of the virus or through previous infection with other Omicron subvariants.

Many experts predict that BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 will be removed soon Sub transformation BA.5, are now common, and are the source of subsequent winter epidemics.

As winter approaches, these experts are especially concerned about the fact This line is resistant to monoclonal antibodiesThis limits the treatments available to people hospitalized with a severe form of the disease and prolongs their hospital stay.

The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention also plans to These new sublines account for more than 50% of infections in Europe by the end of November And by early 2023 they will be mostly dominant (80%).

Watch in video