First identification of the SARS-COV-2/XBB.1.5 sublineage among indigenous COVID-19 cases through the influenza sentinel surveillance system in Niger.

ABSTRACT: The emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021, has caused panic worldwide due to the rapid evolution and the ability of the virus to escape the immune system. Since, several Omicron sublineages (BA.1 to BA.5) and their descendent recombinant lineages have been circulating worldwide. Furthermore, in December 2022, a new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 characterized by an unusual mutation in the spike protein evolved in the United States and rapidly spread to the other continents. Our study reports on the first cases of XBB.1.5 sublineage among indigenous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) positive cases detected through the influenza sentinel surveillance system in Niger. All influenza suspected cases were tested for both influenza and SARS-COV-2 using the Centr

SUBMITTER: Lagare A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10637901 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature