What to know about the new COVID strain, Omicron subvariant BA.5, which is rapidly spreading

 In the US and several other nations, a novel sub-variant of COVID-19's omicron variation known as BA.5 has been identified.

It is both rapidly spreading and extremely contagious.

What you need to know about this newly discovered BA.5 sub-variant is provided below.

BA.5: What is it?

The BA.1 sub-variant, the first omicron variant of COVID-19, is the ancestor of the BA.5 sub-variant. The highly contagious COVID-19 strain that led to an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the United States and other parts of the world was caused by this initial variety.

As of July 2, NBC News reported that BA.5 was responsible for roughly 54% of COVID-19 instances in the United States.

It is extremely contagious and "approximately four times more resistant to antibodies from vaccines than BA.2," the second prominent omicron subvariant that predominated case counts globally just a few months earlier.

Where has BA.5 been found?

According to The New York Times, BA.5 was initially discovered in South Africa before expanding to nations like the United States and the United Kingdom this spring. Since then, it has supplanted BA.2 as the predominant COVID-19 version in the United States. 

Do vaccinations for BA.5 work?

The BA.5 subvariant of the omicron has a propensity to avoid some of the antibodies produced in response to illnesses and immunizations, claims Yale Medicine.

However, NBC News was informed by Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, that if you have previously contracted the BA.2 variety, you might be somewhat protected against BA.5.

NBC News reports that even though BA.5 is more contagious, more disease hasn't been linked to it.

What signs indicate the BA.5 variant?

People in the U.K. reported the following symptoms, as per data from the Zoe COVID Symptom Study, which enables participants to enter their symptoms using their smartphones:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Persistent cough
• Fatigue 

Less than one-third of those polled said they had a temperature as well.

How can I defend against the BA.5 subvariant?

If you are 6 months or older and have not completed your primary series of immunizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that you get immunised.

If you are eligible, the CDC advises getting a booster vaccine if you are 5 years old or older. The CDC advises a second booster shot if qualified if you are 50 years of age or older and had your main booster at least four months prior.