Infectious Diseases Expert Dr. Edsel Salvana on Thursday, Feb. 16, said the recent detection of Omicron variant XBF in the country will not lead to a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“It has na potential na mas nakakahawa siya at mas nakakaiwas sa mga bakuna, pero preliminary itong mga datos na ito, kaya inoobserbahan muna sa ngayon,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.
“Because mataas naman ang antas ng ating pagbabakuna, hopefully hindi naman natin ina-anticipate na biglang sisipa ‘yung cases natin,” he added.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the first case of XBF variant is a Filipino senior citizen with no known travel history.
The patient had seen mild symptoms and was declared recovered.
The DOH said XBF is a recombinant sublineage of Omicrons BA.5 and BA2.75 that has been linked with the recent uptick of cases in Australia and Sweden.
The XBF variant is currently classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, the DOH confirmed two more omicron XBB.1.5 cases.
It previously stated that the first case had no history of international travel.
“Pag nakaka-detect tayo ng walang travel history, it’s possible na mayroon nang nangyayaring local transmission, pero we have to detect more cases para sabihin natin na sustained yung local transmission. At this time, yung panganib naman ay nananatiling mababa,” he added.
The DOH sait it continues to monitor emerging diseases including the Marburg virus that has already spread in Equatorial Guinea.
Salvana said minimum health protocols and border control are effective in preventing the spread of the Marburg virus. –With report from Mark Fetalco/KC-ag
