China, from which a new SARS-Cov2 virus is emerging, is invited to send further analysis on this virus and COVID 19 and share data VIDEO
The WHO Technical Advisory Group on the Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Virus (TAG-VE) meets regularly to review the latest scientific data regarding circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and advise WHO on the need to evolve public health strategies. The Technical Advisory Group held a meeting on January 3, 2023 to discuss the COVID-19 situation in mainland China.
During the meeting, Chinese CDC scientists presented genomic data from what they presented as imported and locally acquired cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. For locally acquired infections, the data presented were based on more than 2000 genomes collected and sequenced since December 1, 2022. Analysis by China CDC showed a predominance of Omicron lineages BA.5.2 and BF.7 among locally acquired infections. The BA.5.2 and BF.7 lines together accounted for 97.5% of all local infections according to genomic sequencing. A few other known Omicron sublines were also detected, albeit in low percentages. These variants are known and circulated in other countries; at present, no new variants have been reported by China CDC.
As of January 3, 773 sequences from mainland China have been submitted to the GISAID initiative EpiCoV database; most of them (564 sequences) were collected after December 1, 2022. Of these, only 95 are classified as locally acquired cases; 187 are classified as imported cases and 261 were not assigned to these categories. Of the locally acquired cases, 95% belong to the BA.5.2 or BF.7 lineages. This matches the genomes of travelers from China that other countries have submitted to the GISAID initiative’s EpiCoV database. No new variants or significant mutations were identified in the publicly available sequence data.
While acknowledging the information provided to date, the Technical Advisory Group reiterates the need and importance of further analysis and pooling of sequence data in order to understand the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of mutations or worrying variants. This should be done whether or not a sequence is assigned to a PANGO lineage. The best way to achieve this is to deposit data quickly and regularly in publicly accessible databases. Maintaining high levels of representative genomic surveillance in China and around the world, annotating genomic sequences with relevant clinical and epidemiological metadata, and rapidly sharing these data are essential for rapid global risk assessment.
WHO will continue to closely monitor the situation in the People’s Republic of China and around the world and calls on all countries to remain vigilant, monitor and report the sequences, and carry out independent and comparative analyzes of different Omicron sub-lines, including the severity of the disease they cause. Currently, the technical advisory group is also evaluating the rapidly increasing proportion of recombinant XBB.1.5 in the United States and other countries. An updated risk assessment for recombinant XBB.1.5 is in preparation and will update the previous statement.
The Technical Advisory Group meets regularly and continues to evaluate available data on the transmissibility, clinical severity, and immune escape potential of the variants, including the potential impact on diagnostic devices, treatments, and vaccines’ efficacy in preventing infection and/or or severe forms.
I REMEMBER
WHO meeting with Chinese officials on the current situation of COVID-19
Declaration dated December 30, 2022
On December 30, WHO held a high-level meeting with Chinese officials regarding the current increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, to obtain more information on the situation and to provide additional expertise and support.
Senior officials of the National Health Commission and the National Administration for Disease Control and Prevention briefed WHO on the development of China’s strategy and measures in the fields of epidemiology, variant surveillance, vaccination, health care clinical, communication and research and development.
WHO has again called for accurate data on the epidemiological situation – including additional data from genetic sequencing, data on the consequences of the disease, including hospitalizations, admissions to medical intensive care units and deaths – and vaccination data to be reported regularly and in real time. carried out and on vaccination status, especially among vulnerable people and the over-60s. WHO has reiterated the importance of vaccination and booster shots to protect people at risk from severe forms of the disease and prevent deaths.
WHO has called on China to strengthen virus sequencing, clinical management and impact assessment and has expressed its willingness to provide support in these areas, as well as in communication on risks associated with vaccination to counteract reluctance. Chinese scientists are encouraged to participate more closely in WHO-led COVID-19 expert networks, including the COVID-19 Clinical Management Network. WHO invited Chinese scientists to present detailed data on the sequencing of the virus at a meeting of the Technical Advisory Group on the Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on 3 January.
He stressed the importance of surveillance and timely release of data to help China and the international community accurately assess risks and devise effective response measures.
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A few months ago, we didn’t suspect its existence and would, for the most part, have thought that confining half the planet due to disease X was still a science fiction scenario… What do we know about this new virus causing the epidemic of COVID-19 in the presence of which we had to, very quickly, learn to live with? Explanations with Mylène Ogliastro. Director of INRAE research, you study the diversity of viruses in insects and their circulation in the environment. Member of the French Society of Virology, he teaches virology at the University of Montpellier.