Abstract
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is conducting variant analysis through whole genome analysis to strengthen quarantine measures for confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 arriving from China, as the number of confirmed cases in China has increased since December 2022. The BA.5 subvariants, which include BA.5 and BF.7, have been identified in >90% of confirmed cases of Chinese origin by Korea Respiratory Virus Integrated Surveillance System. An examination of Chinese-origin genetic data shared by China and other countries in the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data confirms similar findings, indicating that BA.5 subvariants, including BA.5 and BF.7, are currently predominant in China, accounting for >90% of cases. To date, no variants of significant concern have been identified. However, as the number of confirmed cases in China rises, the KDCA will continue to conduct enhanced mutation surveillance to detect the introduction and/or domestic emergence of new variants. In addition, the KDCA will strengthen international cooperation by actively sharing relevant information.