FAQ
Status: 06/11/2022 04:30 a.m
Corona subvariant BA.5 is spreading rapidly in Portugal. The first infections caused by BA.5 were also reported in Germany. What is known about the variant?
Incidences in Portugal continue to rise – despite the high vaccination rate. More than 95 percent of Portuguese have at least one vaccination. Despite this, Portugal has the highest incidence in Europe. The new omicron subvariant BA.5, which was detected in more than 80 percent of new infections, is apparently responsible for the significant increase in new infections.
What is a virus variant subtype?
It is normal for viruses to change and mutate through transmission and spread. Virus variants such as the coronavirus variant Omicron can in turn develop into sub-variants, i.e. so-called sub-lines or sub-types. The sublines differ from each other, particularly in terms of transmission and the course of the disease. The spike proteins are responsible for this. The newly recorded omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5 are classified by experts as more contagious than the previously known “sister variants”.
How is the current infection rate to be assessed?
According to the Robert Koch Institute, in Europe so far usually the omicron subtypes BA.1 and BA.2 are detected. In Germany, the omicron subvariant BA.2 currently dominates with over 80 percent. However, the number of infections due to the more contagious BA.5 subtypes is also increasing here.
In Europe, Portugal is the front runner in terms of incidence. According to estimates by the Portuguese Secretary of State for Health, António Lacerda Sales, the transmission rate of BA.5 infections seems to be falling again. Nevertheless, the situation must continue to be monitored, as a high mortality rate is to be expected, according to Sales.
What is known about the new omicron subtype?
Both the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants have been driving up the number of infections since January 2022 in South Africa and currently in Portugal. The BA.5 subtype has a higher transmission rate, which is why BA.5 was recently able to assert itself against the other subvariants circulating in Portugal. However, no severe course of the disease was recorded in most of those infected. The severity of the disease does not differ significantly from the predominant variants that are already circulating in Germany.
Does previous infection protect against BA.5?
By constantly mutating the BA.5 subtype, it can evade immunities acquired through vaccination or previous infections. According to this, even people who are fully vaccinated or who have already been infected with one of the “sister variants” of the omicron subtype are not safe from (re)infection. However, the severity of the course of the disease is significantly reduced by vaccination or past infections.
Will the BA.5 subtype prevail in Germany?
It is to be expected that the number of infections in Germany will continue to rise. Despite the mostly mild course of the disease, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach warns not to underestimate the situation: Due to the high transmission rate, staff shortages are to be expected in Germany, especially in systemically important sectors. Exact estimates as to when the BA.5 subtype will become the dominant type in Germany are not yet available. Experts agree, however, that this will happen.
Would adapted vaccines make sense?
According to studies, an adapted Moderna vaccine based on a combination of the original Moderna vaccine and a drug against the omicron variant should show an improved antibody response against the more contagious omicron subtypes. The US manufacturer started clinical tests with the combined omicron booster vaccine in March of this year. Moderna hopes to have the new booster vaccine approved by regulators within the next few months.