National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria

Communication on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the country 1 June 2023

The NCIPD has successfully analyzed 92 clinical samples with SARS-CoV-2 by next-generation whole genome sequencing. The samples were collected from patients with COVID-19 between 01.04-04.05.2023 and were sent from 8 different medical institutions in 17 districts of the country.

Omicron and its subvariants were detected in all samples, including: BA/BN/BQ (6.5%), CH/CJ/EA/EG/EU/FL (40.2%) and XBB (53,3%).

Pangolin COVID-19 Lineage Assigner v4.3. program was used to define SARS-CoV-2 variants. An epidemiological analysis is being carried out.

For information on the classification of SARS-CoV-2 variants and sub-variants, please visit: https://cov-lineages.org/index.html

For an up-to-date classification of the variants of concern (VOC), please visit:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/variants-concern
https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/

The NCIPD continues to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the country, with a focus on VOC, altered virulence and immunogenicity that are of increased public health importance.