The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is working with health officials in Hong Kong where 29 cases of the XBB variant of Covid-19 have reportedly been found, including three people who travelled from Thailand.
XBB is a combination of the BJ.1 and BA.2.75 variants — descendants of the earlier Omicron BA.2 sub-type, which is itself about 50% more contagious than BA.1.
Dr Chakkarat Pitayowonganon, director of the DDC’s epidemiology division, said the department has asked health authorities in Hong Kong for details about the XBB sub-variant and more information about the three passengers from Thailand.
Yet despite the swirling rumours, Hong Kong has not reported detecting any cases of the XBB sub-variant, according to Dr Chakkarat. He cited an exchange of information with the health authorities there.
“The ministry is coordinating with Hong Kong to get [more] information first. The Department of Medical Sciences is in charge of testing for Covid-19 variants, and so far no case of XBB has been detected in Thailand,” he said.
This was later confirmed by the above department.
He said it was not clear where Anan Jongkaewwattana, director of the Veterinary Health Innovation and Management Research Group of Biotec, received information about the supposed cases of the XBB variant in Hong Kong.
Mr Anan made the claim in a Facebook post. He said 24 cases were detected upon arrival and five others after the travellers had stayed in Hong Kong for two days.
According to Mr Anan, most of the people who tested positive had travelled from Singapore and three from Thailand.
Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, deputy chief of the DDC, said the department was working closely with Airports of Thailand to tighten screening measures at Suvarnabhumi and other international airports for passengers travelling from Singapore and Hong Kong.
He advised people to take precautions by always wearing face masks in crowded places, such as on public buses or when taking an elevator, as well as to observe frequent handwashing.
Meanwhile, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is reportedly planning to procure doses of a second-generation Covid-19 vaccine next year.
NVI director Nakhon Premsri said the move is based on the DDC’s 2023 plan to combat the spread of the disease.
According to the institute, the second-generation vaccine is being widely used in America and Europe and is efficient in targeting sub-variants like Omicron.
Dr Nakhon said using it as a booster can decrease the severity of the disease. However, the NVI has not yet decided which brand to procure.
Prasit Watanapa, ex-dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, said the Food and Drug Administration has already approved this vaccine for use among children aged six months to four years.
Regarding boosters for adults, Dr Nakhon advised them to use the vaccines available in Thailand today pending the procurement.