National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria

Communication on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the country March 1, 2025

The NCIPD has successfully analyzed clinical 46 al samples with SARS-CoV-2 by next-generation whole genome sequencing. The samples were collected from patients with COVID-19 in 11 regions of the country between 22.10.2024 and 03.02.2025 and sent by 17 laboratories.

Omicron and its subvariants were detected in all samples. ХЕC 8 (17.4%) of the proven SARS-CoV-2 variants were defined by WHO as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) (as of 31 January 2025). KP(FLiRT) subvariants were also detected 12 (26.1%), in addition to the detected subvariants: JN.x (3/6.3%), LB.x (1/2.2%), LF.x (5/10.9%), MC.x (5/10.9%) and (12/26.1%) other subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 were detected.

Nextclade v3.8.2 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/