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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 30 and March 7th 2023 ISS Flash Survey)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Italy, according to the 30th genomic surveillance Report and the Flash Survey of March 7th 2023 by ISS (data published by ISS on March 17th and March 31st 2023)

Published: 26 April 2023

The I-Co-Gen platform by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) is the reference for the collection and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in Italy. By periodic analysis of the data processed through I-Co-Gen, the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), supported by the Bruno Kessler Foundation and in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Health, the Regional administrations and the Autonomous Provinces (PPAA), have undertaken a coordinated effort to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy. Data are released periodically, in the form of brief reports (further details here, Italian only).
This highlight provides a brief overview of the main results from the most recent report (March 7th 2023). Data from the previous report (February 7th 2023) are also included for the sake of comparison.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Italy (ISS Report n. 30 and March 7th 2023 ISS Flash Survey)
The table reports the prevalence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529, derivative lineages and recombinant lineages) Variant of Concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy. Additional information concerning the nomenclature and genomic features of this and other variants can be found here, in a paper by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Data are aggregated by Region/Autonomous Province and the total number of genome sequences considered in the analysis is reported as well. Aggregated data are also reported to present an overview of the current situation in Italy.
Matched data from the previous report (February 7th 2023) are included for the sake of comparison.

According to the March 7th 2023 Flash Survey and Report n. 30 by ISS the group of lineages identified as XBB (Omicron/Omicron recombinants) is the most widespread in Italy with a prevalence at national level equal to 45,3%. XBB.1.5 (a recombinant of BJ.1 and BA.2.75 with an additional F486P Spike mutation) is the most prevalent among the 17 XBB sublineages identified in Italy. In fact, the prevalence of XBB.1.5 in Italy is 38,4% and the frequency of this sublineage varies between 0,0% and 80,0% in the Regions/PPAA included in the Survey. An increase in the proportion of sequenced genomes assigned to the XBB.1.9.1 sublineage is also observed and this lineage is now at 25% frequency (Report n. 30).
The prevalence of lineages from the BQ.1 family (a group of BA.5 sublineages) decreased with respect to the last update (February 7th 2023, Report n. 29) from 56,7% to 29,6% (March 7th 2023, Report n. 30). The proportion of sequenced genomes assigned to the BQ.1.1 sublineage is also decreasing (from 24,4% to 11,68%).
Finally, the circulation of the BA.2.75 lineage is moderate and its national prevalence is estimated around 12,0%.

Important to remark, however, is that the number of genomes sequenced during the March 7th 2023 Flash Survey (708 sequences in total) could be inadequate to correctly estimate the prevalence of the different variants circulating in Italy.

Please refer to the report as provided on the ISS website at the following links (italian only) for a complete reference:

The previous report is available at the following link (italian only):

Source: ISS (prevalence data)