Mumbai, January 5: The number of lab-confirmed cases of the new "Kraken" COVID-19 variant is increasing amid the rising scare of the new coronavirus wave. The Kraken or XBB.1.5 variant has been detected in many countries including India. The new variant is causing concerns because it has the capability to infect even those who have been vaccinated, according to experts. COVID-19 Variant XBB Accounts for More Than 18% Cases in US, Here’s Everything You Need To Know. 

The US Centers for Disease Control estimated 1.3 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the country were XBB.1.5 in early December, but by the end of the month, the cases had mushroomed to 40 percent. So how dangerous is the new XBB.1.5 variant? COVID-19 Variant Omicron's XBB Most Prevalent Sub-lineage Circulating All Over India: INSACOG Bulletin.

What is XBB.1.5 Variant?

A descendant of the Omicron XBB variant, the XBB.1.5 variant has been named 'Kraken'. The XBB.1.5 variant is a cross between BA.2.75 and BA.2.10.1. "XBB.1.5 has a greater ability to attach itself to the human ACE-2 receptor while retaining the outstanding immune evasiveness of its ancestor," Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-chairman of the National IMA COVID-19 task force said.

Is 'Kraken' Variant More Contagious and Vaccine-Resistant?

The World Health Organization (WHO) was indisputable that the XBB.1.5 variant is the most contagious strain of COVID-19 so far. And while there’s no clear evidence it makes people sicker, it’s ability to infect more people is already leading to increased hospitalizations in the United States and other countries.

While, there haven't been significant differences in severity reported between cases caused by XBB.1.5 and previous variants, scientists said that the variant XBB.1.5 is attracting attention because it is exhibiting signs of immunity escape.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2023 08:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).