Updated on 07/20/2022 12:21
The micron subline BA.2.75, initially viewed with concern by some scientists, is not spreading as quickly as feared.
Although BA.2.75 is still increasing in India and appears to have a clear broadcast advantage there, Richard Neher of the University of Basel’s Biozentrum announced on Wednesday at the request of the German Press Agency. He is the head of a research group on the evolution of viruses and bacteria.
Outside India, the picture is not so clear, explained Neher. India has not yet had a pronounced wave of BA.5 stresses, so the situation is not easily comparable with the rest of the world. Neher emphasized that it is still possible for BA.2.75 to spread across the world. “But the data from the last two weeks has shown that the variant is not growing as fast as initially thought.”
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) commented on the findings on the pathogen evidence on Twitter with the words: “It does not appear in the data as if the BA.2.75 variant could prevail.” This is good news, though for now. Several genetic changes in BA.2.75 made researchers sit up and pay attention a few weeks ago. © dpa