BA.4 and BA.5 are sub-variants of the Omicron variant circulating globally. These were first reported in South Africa earlier this year.
INSACOG has shown the presence of BA.four and BA.five Omicron sub-variations of coronavirus in India – one case in Tamil Nadu and some in Telangana. BA.four and BA.five are subclones of the highly-contagious omicron variation of the virus.
On Sunday, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) announced that a 19-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu was diagnosed with inflammation with the BA.four sub-variation of the virus.
The affected person has the most pronounced moderate scientific symptoms and has been vaccinated. He had no travel history. On arrival at Hyderabad airport, a South African nationwide became suitable for Omicron’s BA.4 sub-variety.
In some other cases, an 80-year-old man in Telangana has tested well for the Ba.5 sub-conversion of the virus. They have proven to have the most apparent moderate scientific indications and have been vaccinated. The affected person had no travel history. “As a precautionary measure, contact tracing of BA.4 and BA.5 patients is being done,” INSACOG said.
The INSACOG said these sub-variants were not associated with disease severity or increased hospitalisation.