COVID19 variants are 'recombining' and then spreading as separate viruses, the WHO's Dr Catherine Smallwood has said.
"What we're seeing at the moment, particularly in Europe, is the co-circulation of all of the many descendants of the original Omicron Variant of Concern that was just spreading about this time last year," she said.
"We're seeing multiple different sublinages circulate at the same time, rather than one come to dominate the rest."That's viruses where two variants have actually recombined in one single patient, and then gone on to spread as separate viruses.Dr Smallwood said one of these recombinant viruses - known as XBB.1.5 - is circulating"very, very quickly in the US.
"For the moment we don't know: for the specific variant of XBB.1.5, in Europe the numbers are still very, very small".Dr Smallwood said individual measures to help stop viruses spreading can avert the need for population-based approaches. "In that respect if people want to avoid getting sick - I'm talking about COVID-19, but also talking about flu and RSV - simple things like wearing a mask are really quite effective in ensuring that we're not sick.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Driver dies after bus carrying around 20 passengers crashes in WestmeathSeveral people who were in the bus taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Read more »
Driver dies after bus carrying about 20 passengers crashes in WestmeathA bus driver has died after his vehicle, which was carrying about 20 passengers at the time, was involved in a crash in Co Westmeath
Read more »
Driver dies after bus carrying 20 passengers crashes in WestmeathSeveral people who were in the bus taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Read more »
A full list of Netflix shows cancelled after one season | JOE.ieThis week, the creators of 1899 declared that Netflix had cancelled their show after one season
Read more »