Covid: Before China spike, BF.7 variant found in 91 nations for up to 2 years

在中国疫情爆发之前，BF.7毒株已在91个国家出现2年

PUNE: BF.7, the variant currently driving China's Covid surge, is apparently a known irritant that has been in circulation for nearly two years, albeit sparsely and without causing much damage.

According to data released by the Scripps Research Institute, 91 countries have had a variant matching the genetic make-up and mutation profile of BF.7 since February 2021. It was finally named BF.7 (also BA.5.2.1.7) and added to the BA.5 Omicron lineage in May 2022, said an Insacog scientist.

普那：BF.7毒株是导致中国目前疫情爆发的病毒变种，已经出现了近两年，但危害并不太大。

根据斯克里普斯研究所发布的数据，自2021年2月以来，已有91个国家发现了与BF.7毒株基因组成和突变特征匹配的变异体。印度新冠病毒基因组学联盟的一位科学家说，这个毒株最终被命名为BF.7(也即BA.5.2.1.7)，并于2022年5月加入BA.5奥密克戎谱系。

"Despite its presence in several countries over the last 22 months, BF.7 has not contributed significantly to Covid-19 cases, compared to other simultaneously circulating Omicron sub-lineages such as XBB and BQ.1.1. Cumulative prevalence rate of BF.7 worldwide has been 0.5%, which shows it has limited growth potential. So, the scaremongering is uncalled for," said a virologist involved with Insacog's genome sequencing programme.

Omicron's BA.5 itself has low prevalence in India (currently less than 5%). The recombinant XBB is the dominant variant in the country, seen in over 73% of Covid-positive samples.

So, why has there been so much panic over BF.7? "The surge in China can be explained as BF.7 circulating in a largely susceptible population that has had low rates of Covid infection. We also have to consider limited effectiveness of the vaccines being used in China, their low coverage, coupled with the sudden opening up from the zero-Covid policy," Dr Pujari said.

 “尽管在过去的22个月里，BF.7在几个国家都有发现，但与其他同时广为传播的奥密克戎亚系(如XBB和BQ.1.1)相比，BF.7的占比不大，在世界范围内的累计流行率仅为0.5%，这表明它的增长潜力有限。所以没必要危言耸听。”参与印度新冠病毒基因组学联盟基因组测序计划的一位病毒学家说。

Omicron的BA.5本身在印度的感染率很低(目前不到5%)。XBB是目前在印度传播的主要毒株，在疫情阳性样本中超过了73%。

那么，为什么BF.7会引起如此大的恐慌呢？“中国的疫情爆发可能是因为BF.7在大部分易感人群中传播，这些人群的新冠病毒感染率很低。同时跟中国目前使用的疫苗的有效性有限、覆盖率低，以及清零政策的突然放开有关，”普贾里博士说。

以下是印度时报读者的评论：

• 2 hours ago

Reason for spurt in China could be inferior vaccine which failed to check covid .

疫情突然井喷可能是因为疫苗质量不佳，无法抵御新冠病毒。

• 2 hours ago

Whether is the XBB or the BF.7, India needs to be proactive in dealing with both. There is no scope for mistake.

不管是XBB还是BF.7，印度都必须严正对待。决不能行差踏错。

The Nationalist • 2 hours ago

Does you trust what china says , at earlier days they dont share data , Now U regally believe its B7 ? Or some other deadly variant ?

你相信中国说的话吗？早些时候他们不分享数据，现在你居然相信这是BF.7了？也许是其他致命的变种？

• 2 hours ago

91 nations had the virus for the last 2 years and the entire world didn't know? Best kept secret?

91个国家在过去两年里都发现了这种病毒，可全世界都不知道？是想保密？

• 2 hours ago

God knows if Chinese are telling the truth about the varient.

上帝才知道中国人关于病毒变体到底说没说实话。

• 2 hours ago

So its not a matter of concern at the moment. If the get virus mutated in china due high rate of cases, then it would be a problem to rest of the world too. Ban all incoming flights from china

这根本不是目前需要关注的问题。如果毒株因为中国的高传播率发生变异，那么对世界其他国家都将是一个大问题。立刻禁飞所有来自中国的航班吧。

• 3 hours ago

what a master stroke

真是一记妙招。

Jai Chand Bihar Wale • 3 hours ago

History shall be repeated. Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, TN , Karnataka, Waste Bongal ,Andhra Delhi etc. India(along with PAkis, , Nepalis, Bangladesis) is an anathema to the civilized world.

历史将会重演。喀拉拉邦、马哈拉施特拉邦、古吉拉特邦、泰米尔纳德邦、卡纳塔克邦、废邦、安得拉邦、德里等…印度都是文明世界的毒瘤。

• 3 hours ago

So the vaccines betrayed them!

这么说疫苗害了他们！

Godfather Senior • Mumbai • 3 hours ago

The sender is getting back his gift in many fold is called Karma ! China getting back its dues in multi-fold now with the covid-19 is certainly makes one believe in Karma.

病毒传播者会收到很多倍的回报，这种礼物就叫报应！中国现在在新冠疫情中成倍品尝到自己种下的苦果，这让人不得不相信因果报应。

Godfather Senior • Mumbai • 3 hours ago

I doubt that China may trying to play a game to spread it again to the world, for some known reasons to the world. So, be aware and take care.

我怀疑中国可能会因为一些众所周知的原因而搞什么把戏，再次传播病毒。所以，我们都要小心。

Chandrahasa Moodbidri • 3 hours ago

Election coming near so plan to loot public money knowing they may not coming to power again and party will get electroral bonds from medical companies. Be aware

大选临近，所以有人一心想着掠夺公共资金，他们很清楚自己也许没办法重新掌权，从医疗公司获得电子债券。要关注一下。

• Chandrahasa Moodbidri • 2 hours ago

What indicator you got they not coming to power again..

你有什么证据证明他们不会再度掌权呢？

Sarcastic Bee • India • 4 hours ago

BF.7 variant is around for almost 2 years, but India took it seriously after a yatra of an inconsequential politician got more crowds than rallies of Vishwa guru ghantal.

BF.7变体已经存在了将近2年，但一次不重要的政客集会之后导致病毒传播，印度才开始严肃对待。

Vishwa Kumar • Unknown • 4 hours ago

The virus spiked just after the FIFA world cup. does that China was again silent while spreading the new variant

这种病毒在国际足联世界杯之后开始大规模传播。难道中国在新变种大量传播的时候又沉默了？

• 4 hours ago

Millions die of other causes every single say, why would one bother that's no deadlier than common cold?

每天都有数以百万计的人死于其他原因，为什么我们要担心这种并不比普通感冒致命的病毒？

• 4 hours ago

Karma catches back up with the Crooked Treacherous Viral Chinese !!! Inefficient, Distilled water Vaccines, Zero-Covid Policy by Sh!tler ing Pong, fudged number of cases by their media has fallen flat. India must Not just do Random Testing on “China Virus”, but better Stop all inbound flights from Viral China & Test all inbound flights stringently from other Nations. Prevention is better than Cure.

因果报应终于降临到了奸诈歹毒、传播病毒的中国头上！！无效的疫苗，清零政策，中国媒体编造的确诊数量终于被事实击倒。印度不能对“病毒”仅做随机检测，最好禁飞所有来自中国的入境航班，并严格检测所有来自其他国家的入境航班。预防胜于治疗。

• 4 hours ago

Government should allow now 4th dose or 2nd booster dose for senior citizens or immuno compromised patients!! Most of them took 1st booster shot in Jan or Feb 2022 and they are on higher risk due to Covid explosion in China!!

政府现在应该让老年人或免疫功能低下的患者接种第四剂或第二剂加强剂！！他们中的大多数人在2022年1月或2月就注射了第一次加强疫苗，鉴于中国新冠疫情的爆发，他们的风险更高！！

Hemant P • Mumbai • 4 hours ago

The hard line taken by our GOI with regards to lockdowns, openings and vaccinations has proved highly successful for our country and for the world. GOI run by Modi has given our country hope to fight against the virus and keep our economy moving on all wheels .

事实证明，印度政府在封锁、开放和疫苗接种方面采取的强硬措施对印度和世界都是非常成功的。莫迪领导的印度正符给了我们国家抗击病毒的希望，让我们的经济保持全面发展。

Rambharosey • De • 4 hours ago

Bhavishyavani..Till panaoti Feku is there, there will be death and destruction..only after he is gone will acche din come..

只要莫迪还在位，否则等待我们的只有死亡和毁灭，只有他下台，我们才会迎来好日子。

• Rambharosey • 4 hours ago

you are such a moron but also a shameless troll person.

你就是个笨蛋，也是个无耻的喷子。

Pradip • 4 hours ago

It should now be treated as normal flue........

现在应该当做正常流感来对待了.........

• 4 hours ago

Is China telling the truth about the variant which is supposedly creating havoc.

中国所说的变种是真的吗?

User Couple • 4 hours ago

COVID is BACK.... LOCKDOWN IS COMING

疫情卷土重来…又要隔离封控了。

Senthil Veeran • 4 hours ago

Where was this so called BF.7 variant, just a week ago, when a packed stadium watched Messi and Co. lifting WC ?

一周前，当人们在水泄不通的体育场观看梅西和他的队友举起大力神杯时，所谓的BF.7毒株变体在哪里呢？

Kaiser soza Junior • Senthil Veeran • 3 hours ago

It was in fekus pocket

在莫迪的口袋袋里呀。

Shylesha • Dombivili • 2 hours ago

Why havent they made medicine yet ??? Vaccinating the 100 crore people again is a stupidity & long process , Make a medicine for it ,those who gets the covid please give them the medicine ...thats all

他们为什么到现在还没造出药来？给10亿人再次接种疫苗是愚蠢和漫长的过程，赶紧研发药物吧，让那些感染了新冠病毒的人吃药…完事解决了。