New Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected in Bangladesh

The new subvariant of Omicron, BF.7, has been found in Bangladesh, said Tahmina Shirin, director of Epidemiology, Research and Disease Control.

The subvariant was found in four passengers coming from Kunming of China, she said, adding that IEDCR found the new subvariant after testing their samples.

Four passengers from China tested positive for Covid-19 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport recently after the authorities geared up health  screening as they fear the spread of a sub-variant of Omicron, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) sources said.

The new variant is capable of infecting many people within a shorter period, it said adding: "The new sub-variant of Omicron is four times higher transmissible and the incubation period is shorter enabling it to infect many  people at a time."