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COVID-19 Epidemiological Update
Special Edition 174 published 24 December 2024
In this edition:
• Key highlights
• Global overview
• SARS-CoV-2 test positivity
• Morbidity and Mortality trends
• Hospitalizations and ICU admissions
• SARS-CoV-2 variants circulation
• Vaccination update
• WHO Regional Overview
Virus evolution:
• SARS-CoV-2 has evolved significantly since its emergence. Key variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron each emerged with unique traits affecting transmissibility, severity and vaccine efficacy. Omicron diversified into further subvariants such as BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5, leading to successive infection waves globally. By 2023, recombinant subvariants like XBB and XBB.1.5 appeared. In late 2023, BA.2.86 led to JN.1, the most prevalent variant globally. As of December 2024, KP.3.1.1 is the most prevalent JN.1 descendent, followed by XEC, the latest designated variants under monitoring (VUMs), which is increasing in prevalence. The public health risk posed by XEC, relative to other circulating variants, has been assessed as low. Although its prevalence is increasing, XEC remains a VUM as it does not meet the criteria for classification as a VOI.
• SARS-CoV-2 has evolved significantly since its emergence. Key variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron each emerged with unique traits affecting transmissibility, severity and vaccine efficacy. Omicron diversified into further subvariants such as BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5, leading to successive infection waves globally. By 2023, recombinant subvariants like XBB and XBB.1.5 appeared. In late 2023, BA.2.86 led to JN.1, the most prevalent variant globally. As of December 2024, KP.3.1.1 is the most prevalent JN.1 descendent, followed by XEC, the latest designated variants under monitoring (VUMs), which is increasing in prevalence. The public health risk posed by XEC, relative to other circulating variants, has been assessed as low. Although its prevalence is increasing, XEC remains a VUM as it does not meet the criteria for classification as a VOI.
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