Sino -disease control expert: Omikon BA.5 Asian branch has no obvious changes in the pathogenic force

Recently, Omikon BA.4 and BA.5 sub -branches have become the main popular strains in South Africa, Portugal and other countries. epidemic. Dong Xiaoping, chief expert of the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview with reporters recently that the current data shows that the spread of BA.4 and BA.5 Asian branches has increased significantly, but the pathogenic force is not significantly compared with other Omikon sub -branches. Changes, the ninth edition of the prevention and control scheme is still applicable.

"The incubation period of BA.4 and BA.5 Asian branches has been significantly shortened. In the absence of or few public health measures intervention, the basic infection (R0) that reflects the spread of the virus is very high, bringing great pressure on the world. "Dong Xiaoping introduced, but in general, compared with other Omikonia branches, his disease has not increased or weakened significantly, which is still greatly threatened to the elderly and basic patients.

Dong Xiaoping said that the ninth edition of the prevention and control scheme refers to the higher position of the virus, reflects the layered nucleic acid screening scheme, encrypted the frequency of nucleic acid detection in risk -up career groups, and increases antigen detection as supplementary methods for epidemic monitoring. "These measures in the ninth edition of the prevention and control plan are effective for BA.4 and BA.5 Asian branches."

Is the existing new crown virus vaccine still valid for the BA.4 and BA.5 sub -branches? Dong Xiaoping said that BA.4 and BA.5 Asian branches have increased immunization and escape ability, but vaccination is still effective for preventing severe illnesses and death, and the effect of preventing infection needs to be observed with greater data. He called for people who met the conditions for vaccination to complete the new crown virus vaccine as soon as possible and strengthen immunity.

Will the people who have been infected with the new crown virus again infected with the Omikon mutant strain again? Dong Xiaoping said that there is still the possibility of being infected by the mutant strain by Omikon, but it will not be more susceptible to infection or more serious clinical results than other people.

"We can't despise BA.4 and BA.5 Asian branches, but don't panic." Dong Xiaoping said.

Sichuan Observation (Source: Xinhua News Agency)

- END -