Newly detected FE.1 omicron subvariant, also known as XBB.1.18.1.1, may cause severe infection in those in the vulnerable population, infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante warned in a briefing on Tuesday, June 20. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
FE.1 is classified as one of the XBB variants of interest, along with XBB.1, XBB 1.16, and XBB.1.5, which are the dominant omicron subvariants present in the country. But the health department advised on June 19 that it is not different in terms of severity and clinical manifestations as compared to the original omicron variant.

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[PH's first case of FE.1 omicron subvariant detected](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/19/ph-s-first-case-of-fe-1-omicron-subvariant-detected) "There are specific mutations [in FE.1], they call it 'mutations of interest' na magkahawig tlaga sa XBB at alam naman natin na ang XBB ito yung mga variants ngayon kung saan tumataas ang mga kaso the past few weeks or the past months (There are specific mutations in FE.1, they call it 'mutations of interest' that are very similar to XBB, and we know that XBB are the current variants that cause an upward trend in cases for the past few weeks or the past months)," Solante said. There is no direct evidence yet whether FE.1 is highly contagious or may cause severe infection even in those who are vaccinated. However, he warned individuals with comorbidities and the elderly to always wear face masks and keep their vaccination status up to date as their immunity weakens four to six months after receiving the jab. Solante reiterated that this new subvariant only causes mild symptoms, particularly in the younger population, since it targets the upper respiratory tract contrary to the Delta variant. "We should not panic because for almost two years now maganda ang health care utilization rate (the health care utilization rate has been good)," he said. Meanwhile, there is no information yet on whether bivalent vaccines are effective against the FE.1 subvariant.