XBB.1.5/'Kracken' Omicron Sub-Variant Detected in NZ
January 9, 2023
PHOTO: IAID/NIH via AP
The new sub-variant of Covid-19 Omicron has been detected in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health says.
XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken, has been detected in two people after whole genome sequencing by Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) last week.
The Ministry said the detection was not unexpected, after its recent arrival in Australia.
The World Health Organisation says XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible version of Omicron so far. But there’s no indication yet that the sub-variant causes more severe illness than Omicron’s other variants, WHO Covid response technical leader Maria Van Kerkhove said recently.
Commentary
So, you know, ’everyone stay safe out there!’ and all that.