BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, and XBB: Why New COVID-19 Variants Have Such Confusing Names
This alphabet-soup nomenclature feels like a marked departure from the World Health Organization’s Greek letter system, which wasto give people an easy and location-neutral way to refer to new variants. While the Greek lettering system, which yielded names like Alpha, Beta, and Delta, did not replace existing scientific naming systems—such as those responsible for labels like BA.5 and XBB—it was meant to simplify public communication about important viral strains.
The WHO only assigns a new Greek letter to a variant if it’s significantly different from previous versions. And for the last year, we’ve seen flavor after flavor of Omicron, rather than totally new iterations of the virus, explains Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead for COVID-19. That’s why weDr.
“I’m a scientist who’s been developing coronavirus vaccines for the last decade, and it’s even challenging for people like myself” to follow them, Hotez says. They’re not just hard to remember. The names are enough to make the average person’s eyes glaze over—which isn’t great, considering thatVan Kerkhove, however, argues that the public probably doesn’t need to know all the granular details of BQ.1 versus BQ.1.1 versus BF.7.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Why this Paris brasserie feels so right after COVID distancingLove for Brasserie Lipp; Gael Greene and Julie Powell memories; plus, saving the L.A. Breakfast Club.
Leer más »
Foxconn implements new curbs at Zhengzhou plant to stem COVID-19 spreadApple supplier Foxconn said it would implement new measures at its Zhengzhou plant to curb the spread of COVID-19, including implementing a system which would involve moving all working employees into three dormitories.
Leer más »
You May Have to Wait for Your New iPhone Amid Delays Over China COVID LockdownsApple warned iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments will be lower due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed on a contractor's factory in central China.
Leer más »
New iPhone shipments slowed by COVID lockdown at factory in ChinaApple Inc. is warning customers they'll have to wait longer to get its latest iPhone models after anti-virus restrictions were imposed on a contractor's factory in central China.
Leer más »
New Loki Variants Revealed in Marvel Concept Art Include Cat Loki & Fairy LokiMarvel fans are learning a lot of interesting behind-the-scenes information about Loki thanks to [...]
Leer más »