Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre discovered the first case of BF.7 in India in October. According to authorities, two instances have been recorded from Gujarat and one from Odisha. None of these incidents are novel. According to Livemint, Gujarat state health department authorities recorded two BF.7 instances in the state between July and November of this year. Both were treated at their homes. “These individuals were treated in home isolation and have entirely recovered,” said the official. Similarly, the instance in Odisha was discovered early this year and the individual was treated.
Experts noted at the COVID-19 review meeting on Wednesday, headed by Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, that while there has been no general rise in the caseload, there is a need for continuing surveillance to keep track of current and developing varieties.
According to Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is currently prominent in several nations, has not been discovered in any of the COVID-19 positive samples of overseas travellers sent for whole genome sequencing in Tamil Nadu so far. He informed reporters that the six sequenced samples were of Omicron sub-variants that have been in circulation in the state for the previous seven to eight months.
According to the Minister, Omicron sub-lineage BF.7 is in use in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Since December 24, 13 people have tested positive upon arrival in the state, including those returning from China, Cambodia, and Dubai.
“A total of 13 foreign travellers — 2% randomly screened and travellers from five specified nations — have tested positive on arrival in the State. “All of their samples were sent for whole genome sequencing right away,” he explained. He stated that Omicron sub-variant BA.5.2 was detected in the samples of a mother and her kid from Virudhunagar who tested positive after returning from China, whereas the samples of returnees from Muscat, Bangkok, and Kuwait were of the BA.2.10.1 form.
According to him, the XBB.1 variation was found in the sample of another person who travelled from Muscat. “The six samples were found to have Omicron sub-variants that had been in circulation in the state over seven to eight months. The vast majority are asymptomatic.
“The BF.7 sub-variant infected no one,” he noted. In the previous two months, 93 samples were sent for whole genome sequencing, with 91 (98%) belonging to the Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.5, and 2% belonging to the Delta variant.
According to the Health Minister, Omicron sub-variant BF.7 has yet to be discovered in any sample in T.N.
