WHO tracks two new Omicron sub-variants BA.4 & BA.5 | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 17, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
WHO tracks two new Omicron sub-variants BA.4 & BA.5

Coronavirus chronicle

Hindustan Times
12 April, 2022, 01:40 pm
Last modified: 12 April, 2022, 01:43 pm

Related News

  • Special health guidelines issued for HSC exams amid covid-19, dengue surge
  • One more dies of Covid, 25 new cases reported in a day
  • Covid-19: One death, 26 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • 7 new Covid-19 cases reported in 24hrs
  • Covid hospitals in Chattogram face ICU, testing kit crisis amid rising infections

WHO tracks two new Omicron sub-variants BA.4 & BA.5

The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are sister variants of the original BA.1 Omicron variant. Here’s what we know so far about the two new variants

Hindustan Times
12 April, 2022, 01:40 pm
Last modified: 12 April, 2022, 01:43 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

While several nations are facing a spike in the number of daily Covid-19 cases accelerated by the emergence of the more-transmissible BA.2 omicron strain, two new sub-variants of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5 - are now under WHO.

The global health body is monitoring whether they are more infectious or dangerous, Reuters reported.

The World Health Organisation said on Monday "We are tracking a few dozen cases of two new sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain. We are already tracking BA.1 and BA.2 - now globally dominant - as well as BA.1.1 and BA.3," the World Health Organisation said on Monday as per news agency Reuters.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Here's what we know so far about the two new variants

What are BA.4 and BA.5 variants

The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are sister variants of the original BA.1 Omicron variant. The BA.1 and BA.2 variants already dominate the global surge. The Omicron subvariant BA.2 now represents nearly 94% of all sequenced cases

How fast do these variants spread

Viruses mutate all the time but only some mutations affect their ability to spread. The global health body WHO said it had begun tracking the BA.4 and BA.5 variants because of their 'additional mutations' to determine their transmissibility.

3How severe are BA.4 and BA.5 variants

The cases of these variants reported in South Africa displayed mild symptoms. However, all those who contracted the variant were fully vaccinated. The response of the variant on unvaccinated is unknown. Experts suggest that the variants are expected to be less severe but individuals must adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour until further details are accessed.

How many cases of BA.4 and BA.5 have been reported so far

Only a few dozen cases of BA.4 and BA.5 have been reported so far to the global GISAID database, according to WHO. The UK's Health Security Agency said last week BA.4 had been found in South Africa, Denmark, Botswana, Scotland and England from Jan. 10 to March 30.

How to stay safe from these variants:

  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
  • Keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.
  • Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces at all costs.
  • Open windows to improve ventilation in indoor spaces.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap, use sanitiser when you can't wash your hands.
  • Get vaccinated- get both the jabs if you still have not received them. Get the booster shot if you are eligible for the same.

Covid / Covid -19 / variants / Omicron Covid variant / Covid variants / Coronavirus

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph:TBS
    Overseas employment back in flow as Saudi recruitment picks up in May
  • A view of Iranian missiles across the sky as seen by Biman pilot Enam Talukder. Photo: Enam Talukder
    Biman pilot witnessed Iran's missiles flying towards Israel
  • Closed shops in the Tehran Bazaar following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in the centre of Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters fifth day

MOST VIEWED

  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr
  • Infograph: TBS
    Ship congestion at Ctg port lingers as berthing time rises
  • BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held a view-exchange meeting with waste management officials and Dhaka South City Corporation staff inside Nagar Bhaban on 16 June 2025. Photos: Hasan Mehedi
    Ishraque holds Nagar Bhaban meeting as 'Dhaka South mayor', says it’s people’s demand
  • Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
    Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
  • Bangladesh to open new missions in five countries to boost trade, diplomacy
    Bangladesh to open new missions in five countries to boost trade, diplomacy
  • Screengrab from the viral video showing a man claiming to be a journalist conducting a room-to-room search at a guesthouse in Chattogram
    Viral video of guesthouse raid by 'journalist' in Ctg sparks outrage, legal questions

Related News

  • Special health guidelines issued for HSC exams amid covid-19, dengue surge
  • One more dies of Covid, 25 new cases reported in a day
  • Covid-19: One death, 26 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • 7 new Covid-19 cases reported in 24hrs
  • Covid hospitals in Chattogram face ICU, testing kit crisis amid rising infections

Features

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

21h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

1d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

10h | TBS World
Why is China's economy not booming?

Why is China's economy not booming?

10h | Others
An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

13h | TBS World
NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

13h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net