Update on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages and recombination events (18 November 2022)

Abstract

In the context of the continuous emergence of additional Omicron sublineages, PAHO/WHO reiterates that the nomenclature established to address the potential public health impacts of variants and based on Greek letter labels has not changed. Nomenclatures based on phylogenetic analysis (ie, Pango Network, GISAID, and Nextstrain) can also be used to designate lineages or sublineages. However, other nomenclatures or nicknames are not official and should not be used. PAHO/WHO regularly assesses new Omicron sublineages. To date, there is no evidence of significant changes in the public health impact of these sublineages and no justification of the assignment of a new variant label.