First cases of new Covid-19 subvariants reported in Myanmar, Health Ministry says

By DMG 13 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
13 July 2022, Sittwe 

Myanmar has recorded its first cases of the latest Covid-19 variant of concern, with the junta’s Ministry of Health saying it has stepped up efforts to prevent and contain coronavirus infections. 

The ministry said six cases of the two Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, have been detected in Myanmar. 

Ministry spokesman Dr. Than Naing Soe told DMG that for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the new subvariants cause less severe illness and fewer deaths than previous variants. 

“Their symptoms are not much different from those of Omicron, but they are more infectious,” he said. 

Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza, and common symptoms include headache, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue and sneezing. 

Like the original Omicron variant, those infected with the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants can show symptoms even if they are fully vaccinated. 

“It is difficult to know how infectious it is. According to research, it is three times more infectious than Omicron, even for those who have gained immunity from previous infection or vaccination,” said Dr. Than Naing Soe. 

The Health Ministry said the BA.4 subvariant was found in one sample and BA.5 in five samples, all from Myanmar nationals recently returned from overseas. The infected individuals have been quarantined in their homes or isolated at hospitals. 

Fifty-five boat crew who returned from Bangladesh to Arakan State earlier this month were tested for Covid-19 and eight positive cases were found among them from July 4-8. 

During the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, 4,264 infections were reported in Arakan State, with 37 deaths. The much worse third wave, through January 31 of this year, saw 5,247 cases reported and 501 fatalities in Arakan State, according to the state’s health department. 

Since February, new coronavirus infections have declined dramatically both in Arakan State and across Myanmar. The Ministry of Health said just 13 new cases were reported nationwide on July 13, down from a peak of about 6,000 new infections reported daily at the height of the virus’s worst wave in July of last year.