How can you tell which variant of the coronavirus someone has? It became apparent that vaccine effectiveness against Omicron infection without booster vaccination was considerably lower compared to the Delta variant. Never before had a new variant of the coronavirus spread as quickly as the Omicron variant. ![]() A striking feature of this variant was that it proved to have an unusually large number of mutations in the spike protein. Similar to other variants, the small changes (mutations) in this new variant were seen mainly in the lines bristling out from the coronavirus: the spike protein. ![]() The percentage of cases involving the Omicron variant rose rapidly around the world. The first cases involving the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 were reported in South Africa at the end of November 2021. The same trend is occurring all over the world. At the end of 2021, the Delta variant was in turn replaced by the Omicron variant B.1.1.529. The COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing hospital and ICU admissions, even against the Delta variant. The Delta variant is much more contagious than the Alpha variant. In summer 2021, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) replaced the Alpha variant as the dominant strain in the Netherlands. The B.1.617.2 variant of the coronavirus was first found in October 2020 in India. The P.1 Gamma variant is currently no longer detected in pathogen surveillance. The immune response due to vaccination or due to previous infection with the virus may possibly be less effective against this variant. These three changes are almost identical to the changes in the Beta variant. Among other mutations, the variant has three changes in the spike protein, the lines bristling out from the coronavirus, that are considered cause for concern. It is not yet clear whether the course of illness is different for this variant. The P.1 Gamma variant of the coronavirus was found mainly in outbreaks in and around Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The Beta variant is no longer detected in pathogen surveillance. This variant of the virus, like the Alpha variant, also appears to be more contagious than the variant that had been dominant in the Netherlands until that point. The Beta variant of the coronavirus, first found in South Africa, was detected in the Netherlands in early January 2021. In summer 2021, the Alpha variant was ‘pushed out’ by the more contagious Delta variant. The Alpha variant then became the dominant strain in the Netherlands, supplanting the former variant of the virus. The Alpha variant of the coronavirus, first found in the UK, was also detected in the Netherlands in December 2020. At this time, there are no indications that these sub-variants would be more likely to cause severe illness compared to previous Omicron sub-variants. Since week 7 of 2023, XBB (including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16) has been responsible for the highest number of infections. Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5 were initially dominant in the Netherlands, followed by BQ.1 (including BQ.1.1). There are also recombinant strains that combine characteristics of other variants, such as XBB (including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16) and XBF. Sub-variants of BA.5 include BF.7 and BQ.1 (including BQ.1.1). From BA.4, we are seeing sub-variant BA.4.6. From BA.2, we are seeing sub-variant BA.2.75 (including CH.1.1). Multiple sub-variants of BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5 are currently circulating in the Netherlands. ![]() The same pattern is occurring in other countries as well. But mutations are also emerging within these sub-variants, developing from Omicron. Since early 2022, most of the variants of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the Netherlands have been in the Omicron lineage: sub-variants BA.1 through BA.5. ![]() Current situation: Omicron XBB variants (including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16) are most prevalent in the Netherlands 4 August 2023: This week there will be no update of the data.
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