2023-11-15 20:29:42
A new sub-variant of COVID-19 called HV.1 is gaining ground in Canada, experts say.
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This is a sub-variant of Omicron. It is one of the only sub-variants to experience constant growth in the country, reports Health Canada.
In August, the sub-variant represented 2.1% of reported cases, while as of October 29, it accounted for 34.4% of cases, Health Canada records.
Health Canada
“It’s here,” infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told Global News.
As the HV.1 strain spreads, health experts like Bogoch warn that it may still be too early to determine whether it is more contagious than previous variants.
Although the HV.1 lineage is gaining ground, Health Canada said that as of November 7, the overall spread of COVID-19 was moderate to low across the country.
Origin of sub-variant HV.1
According to Health Canada, HV.1 is another Omicron XBB variant that is descended from EG.5.
According to Mr. Bogoch, the sub-variant is not necessarily more virulent than its predecessors, but could be particularly adept at evading the immune systems of Canadians.
Currently, Canada refers to any descendant of Omicron as a “variant of interest” unless otherwise noted.
A variant of interest has the potential to replace the dominant variant. However, the impact on the population is not necessarily known. The new variant could also have effects that would not be significantly different from those of its predecessors.
What are the symptoms of HV.1?
The symptoms of HV.1 closely mirror those of previous variants: general malaise, fatigue, body aches, fever, cough and runny nose.
In more severe cases, people may experience shortness of breath, which can lead to hospitalization, Bogoch said.
He adds that it’s important to remember that regardless of the strain, older people and those with weakened immune systems are at high risk and more susceptible to this infection.
One symptom that seems less common than before is loss of smell or taste, said Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Center.
“At the start of COVID, people were losing their sense of taste and smell. This is no longer the case today. And it may well be that due to background immunity to COVID, the symptom has died down,” he said.
Finally, to the extent that the dominant sub-variants are all linked to Omicron, the vaccine for Omicron remains effective, assures Mr. Conway.
“Being vaccinated […] will likely boost immunity in the majority of people, prevent serious illness and significantly reduce transmission within the community,” he explains.
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