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New COVID omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is ‘spreading like wildfire’ in US: Health experts reveal why

A new COVID-19 subvariant, XBB.1.5, is picking up speed nationwide. Dr. Marc Siegel and University of Arizona medical professor Dr. Shad Marvasti reveal what's worrisome about the contagious strain.

The new omicron subvariant, known as XBB.1.5, is spreading like wildfire across the U.S.

As colder weather brings in peak COVID infections, this novel mutation is beginning to worry health professionals.

So, what are some of the unique features of the strain that is now gripping swaths of the country?

THE NEW OMICRON SUBVARIANT XBB.1.5: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW NOW

First, this subvariant is immuno-evasive. It's not as susceptible to natural immunity or vaccines — and it is very contagious, health professionals say. 

In a phone interview with Fox News Digital, Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel explained that there are actually two subvariants at play: XBB and XBB.1.5.

XBB.1.5 is more contagious, said Dr. Siegel, who is also a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

It's more contagious due to its ability to grip tightly onto a host, he explained.

"The spike proteins are like suction cups," he said. 

"So, the more it can get a grip … the more easily it transmits from cell to cell," he added.

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Both XBB subvariants are "highly contagious," Siegel added, since each omicron variant is "out-competing its predecessor."

Dr. Shad Fani Marvasti, associate professor and director of public health and prevention at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, told Fox News Digital that each new strain develops with the intention of overshadowing those that went before it.

"Viruses always want to be more and more transmissible and infect more hosts," he said.

In some cases, there’s a "trade-off" between mutations, in which some may become more transmissible but less virulent in terms of the health impact, Marvasti also said.

This is the hope for omicron and its developing variants, such as the "sticky" XBB, he noted.

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He said he hopes that "we start seeing [the variants becoming] less severe," he said. 

"And that can be both a function of the evolution of the virus … and also the fact that more people have been exposed to the virus through either vaccination boosters or previous infections," he said.

Dr. Siegel added that so far there’s "no evidence" that XBB is more virulent.

"If it's spreading like wildfire and it's not killing more people, that means it's less virulent," he said. "But we don't know the reason for that."

Currently, XBB.1.5 accounts for almost 41% of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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The XBB mutation has picked up speed, jumping from just 21% of COVID-19 cases on Christmas Eve, the CDC noted.

During the last week of December 2022, XBB.1.5 made up 75.3% of COVID-19 cases in northeastern states.

Those states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, the CDC said.

Even though XBB numbers are currently lower in western parts of the country, Dr. Marvasti of Arizona stressed there’s no doubt the subvariant will catch on just about everywhere else.

"It's definitely the majority of cases in the Northeast, and we expect that to be for the whole country," he said.

"In Arizona, my expectation is that it's going to climb pretty quickly, especially since we have a lot of winter visitors here this time of year, and we're going to have more folks with the Phoenix Open and the Super Bowl," he also said. (The Phoenix Open golf tournament takes place Feb. 6-12, 2023; the Super Bowl is Feb. 12, 2023.) 

"It’s going to increase in the coming weeks no matter what level it’s at right now," he added.

Although it’s still too soon to tell how the new strain will impact hospitalization and death rates, neither Siegel nor Marvasti is expecting a steep increase.

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Marvasti noted that hospitalizations have been less of an issue since omicron’s appearance.

This is because omicron variants are known for attacking the upper respiratory tract — the nose and sinuses — instead of the lower respiratory tract in the lungs, he said.

"Which is one of the reasons why you see less people on ventilators," he explained.

Both experts stressed that even though symptoms may be less severe, people who are at high risk or immunocompromised should continue taking appropriate steps toward prevention, including wearing masks and getting vaccinated.

While keeping up with vaccinations is important, Siegel said, he added that these constantly emerging variants question the efficacy of current vaccines on the market.

The XBB's immuno-evasive properties are "bothering" health experts the most, he noted.

At a recent news briefing, Harvard Medical School assistant professor of medicine Kathryn Stephenson said that even though the original COVID vaccines may have lost some of their punch against new variants, they’re still holding up well against severe illness and death.

One possible solution could be incorporating Omicron-updated boosters to further enhance protection, she said.

This would require more research and funding into "better" vaccines such as inhaled vaccinations, said Dr. Siegel.

"My philosophy toward protection from this virus is the more immunity you have, the better," he said.

In an effort for everyone to stay healthy, Dr. Marvasti encouraged practicing other ways to boost immunity, including getting enough sleep, managing stress, reducing inflammation, eating healthier, taking probiotics, staying hydrated and exercising.

"People should recognize that there are a lot of things you can do to help boost immunity and improve your ability to fight off infections including COVID," he said.

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Those who've come down with either XBB subvariant can continue treating it as they would any other coronavirus case.

Siegel also recommended the prescription medication Paxlovid as a treatment in some cases, under the guidance of a doctor. 

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