New COVID mutant “XE” found in UK more infectious than Omicron sub-variant: WHO
New COVID mutant “XE” has been found in the UK, the World Health Organization has said in its latest report, noting that it may be more contagious than COVID-19’s BA.2 subline.
XE is a recombinant of COVID-19’s Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublines.
“Recombinant XE (BA.1-BA.2) was first detected in the UK on 19 January, and> 600 sequences have been reported and confirmed since then,” the WHO said.
“Early estimates suggest that the growth rate in the community is 1010% compared to BA.2, but this finding needs further confirmation. XE is part of the Omicron variant until significant differences in infectivity and disease characteristics, including severity, can be observed.” it added.
The UK has reported 637 cases of XE, and experts said it has shown mixed growth.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), its new analysis has examined three recombinants known as XF, XE and XD.
“Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2,” it said in an update.
A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with two or more variants simultaneously, resulting in the mixing of their genetic material in the patient’s body.
UKHSA said this is not uncommon and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified during the pandemic.
“Like any other variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19), most give no benefit to the virus and die relatively quickly,” it said.
38 cases of XF have been identified in the UK, although none have been detected since mid-February. There is currently no evidence of community spread in the United Kingdom.
UKHSA said XD has not yet been identified in the UK, although 49 cases have been reported in global databases, most of them in France.
“637 XE cases have been confirmed in the UK to date – a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. The earliest of these is due to be dated 19 January 2022. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the growth benefit or other characteristics of this variant.” , it said.
UKHSA said it would continue to closely monitor all recombinants.
“Recombinant variants are not uncommon, especially when there are several variants in circulation and several have been identified during the pandemic so far. As with the other variants, most are dying out relatively quickly,” the professor says. Susan HopkinsA UKHSA senior medical adviser said.
“This recombinant, XE, has shown variable growth rates, and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a real growth benefit. So far, there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about infectivity, severity, or vaccine efficacy,” Hopkins added.
UKHSA said BA.2 is estimated to account for about 93.7 per cent of cases in the UK, with the highest prevalence in the South East (96.4 per cent) and the lowest in the East Midlands (91.1 per cent).
“BA.2 continues to show a significant growth advantage. Since mid-February, this growth rate has stabilized at about 75 per cent higher than other Omicron lineages circulating in England,” it added.
Source: ANI