Gryphon, the Covid variant that scientists have cataloged as an XBB.1.5 subvariant of the SarsCoV2 virus, could be responsible for the surge in the Covid-19 epidemic in China, where it has been circulating since October. Unfortunately, scientific certainty is lacking given that China does not provide data to the international community, but experts are considering the hypothesis very seriously, also because the growth of cases that is occurring in other states is connected precisely to Gryphon.
In recent weeks there are two variants of Covid that are keeping the attention of the experts: Omicron 5’s BQ 1.1 known as “Cerberus”, daughter of 3 mutations on the Spike protein (S444T; S460K, R346T) and the XBB Gryphon which, as the World Health Organization explains, does not differ much from Cerberus, and therefore it too can be considered a subvariant of Omicron. Born from a recombination of the subvariants BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75, in the week from 3 to 9 October 2022 XBB had a worldwide prevalence of 1.3% distributed in 35 countries. At the moment the focus is on XBB.1.5, which has been circulating in China since October and which is the result of the recombination of two other Omicron subvariants: BA.2.1 and BA.2.1.
What is happening in China
In China “something very important is happening: the number of deaths from Covid is uncontrollable and so far there has only been a hint of the possibility that one or more new variants are circulating”, observes the virologist Francesco Brcolo, of the University of Salento. The focus is on XBB.1.5, which has been circulating in China since October and which is the result of the recombination of two other Omicron subvariants: BA.2.1 and BA.2.1. “A real swarm of variants is circulating, but the XBB is rapidly replacing common subvariants, such as BQ.1 and BQ.1.1”, says the expert. The same subvariant quickly spread to at least nine other countries, six of which are European.
Gryphon, where it is present
In addition to Italy, where as of December 27 it constituted 1.82% of the SarsCoV2 virus in circulation, XBB was detected in France (1.22%), Belgium (4.56%), Germany (2.05% ), Spain (2.61%) and the United Kingdom (5.44%) as indicated by the Our World in Data website, citing the data relating to the genetic sequences of the virus deposited in the Gisaid international database. The XBB is also present in Australia (3.33%), Canada (1.93%) and the United States (13.42%). Here, in particular, it seems to be linked to the recent 140% increase in hospitalizations in New York over the past month.
Symptoms
The XBB Gryphon, being a subvariant which, as the World Health Organization explains, does not differ much from Cerberus, the most common signs are similar: cold, cough and sore throat, signs that can be confused with the flu itself or with a simple cold. The only certain diagnosis can therefore be given by a swab. The big concern is that Gryphon may be very adept at overcoming the immune hurdles created by vaccine immunity and therefore may be able to generate a severe form of the disease.
Gryphon present in Italy
XBB Gryphon, as well as in Italy, where as of 27 December it constituted 1.82% of the SarsCoV2 virus in circulation, was detected in France (1.22%), Belgium (4.56%), Germany (2. 05%), Spain (2.61%) and the United Kingdom (5.44%) as indicated by the Our World in Data website, citing the data relating to the genetic sequences of the virus deposited in the Gisaid international database. The XBB is also present in Australia (3.33%), Canada (1.93%) and the United States (13.42%). Here, in particular, it seems to be linked to the recent 140% increase in hospitalizations in New York over the past month.
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