Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 imposes a new challenge for the global public health
- PMID: 35072038
- PMCID: PMC8767758
- DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2022.01.002
Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 imposes a new challenge for the global public health
Abstract
Since its first discovery, the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evoked another wave of infection and caused global concern and panic. Moreover, although the data are still limited, Omicron showed highly concerning characteristics, including higher transmissibility, extensive immune escape and potentially altered host range. We interpreted these characteristics based on currently available data and outlined some urgent questions, calling for a more comprehensive investigation.
Keywords: Immune escape; Interspecies transmission; Omicron strain; SARS-CoV-2.
© 2022 Chinese Medical Association Publishing House. Published by Elsevier BV.
References
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- WHO, Enhancing response to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant: Technical brief and priority actions for Member States. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhancing-readiness-for-omicron-..., 2021 (accessed 13 January 2022).
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- Zhao X., Li D., Ruan W., Zhang R., Zheng A., Qiao S., Zheng X., Zhao Y., Chen Z., Dai L., Han P., Gao G.F. Reduced sera neutralization to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 by both inactivated and protein subunit vaccines and the convalescents [Preprint] bioRxiv. 2021 doi: 10.1101/2021.12.16.472391. - DOI
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