Odisha Reports India’s First BM.4.1.1 Sub-Variant Of Omicron

Bhubaneswar: Amid the emergence XBB and BM.1.1 sub-variants of SARS-CoV2 in five states and the fear that the latter might trigger new COVID wave during Diwali, a second-generation sub-lineage of Omicron (BM.4.1.1), the first in the country, has been detected in Odisha.

At least 18 of this ‘new class’ of Omicron sub-variant were detected from 149 samples sequenced in two labs in the state in the last one month. While 88 samples from Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, and Keonjhar were processed for sequencing at the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), 61 from Puri, Angul, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Sonepur, and Sundargarh were sequenced at the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, a TNIE report said.

Apart from BM.4.1.1, at least 32 cases of XBB, 22 cases of BM.1.1, four cases of BM.1.1.1, six cases of BL.1, two cases of BL.4, and 22 cases of BA.2.75.2 were detected during the period.

While the XBB variant is said to be more infectious having contributed to the surge in parts of South Asia, especially Singapore and Hong Kong, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is examining the clinical significance of the BM.4.1.1 sub-variant.

“The XBB and BM.1.1 are fast replacing the other Omicron sub-variants that were dominant in the State. The share of XBB now stood at 21 per cent and that of BM.1.1 rose to 15 per cent. We have to look for the result of the next batch of sequencing to ascertain more about BM.4.1.1,” an INSACOG scientist told the national daily.

The new variant is being closely monitored as there are no details about the samples, whether they had any travel history or the virus mutated within the state.

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha has seen a marginal rise in new cases, mostly from Khurda, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Puri, and Sambalpur in the last two days. A further rise in the number of positive cases is predicted during the winter and ongoing festive season.

State health authorities, however, claimed a severe disease from these variants is highly unlikely as despite a slight rise in numbers there is very less hospitalisation.