A much more infectious omicron subvariant began to spread. The first case after England is also reported by the neighboring Czech Republic
The occurrence of a new variant was only recently reported in England.
In the neighboring Czech Republic, they confirmed the first case of a new subvariant of omicron XE, which is much more infectious than its basic version. A woman from Prague became infected with him, the portal informs tn.nova.cz with reference to the State Institute of Public Health.
“We know that the sample positive for variant XE comes from women from Prague with a preventive indication for PCR testing, no further epidemic data is available from the National Reference Laboratory,” said Helena Jiřincová, head of the laboratory, according to the media.
Most European countries are struggling with the new BA.2 omicron subvariant, which first appeared earlier this year. It began to prevail in Slovakia at the end of March. According to Danish researchers, this is a more contagious version that endangers unvaccinated people in particular. While scientists are still monitoring and investigating the infectivity of the BA.2 subvariant and the severity of the course of the disease, which is causing the world to have information about another variant of emergence in England, namely XE.
In addition to the world media, the Czech neurobiologist Omar Šerý also drew attention to it. The XE variant is “assumed to have a 10 percent higher transmission capacity”. At present, more than 92 percent of infections in England are caused by variant BA.2, “he said.
A new variant of coronavirus, called XE, has appeared in England. This is the result of recombination of omicron variants BA1 and BA2. It is assumed that the transmission capacity is 10% higher. Currently, more than 92% of infections in England are caused by the BA2 variant. XE variant so far for more than 630 people. pic.twitter.com/093whHrGIo
– O Šerý (@ omarsery1) April 3, 2022
A total of 637 patients with XE infection have registered in the UK so far, he says CNBC. Upon sequencing, the XE variant appears in one percent of new cases. The new subvariant has already been confirmed in Thailand and China, he says Forbes.
Version XE was created by combining the previous two variants of omicron, ie BA.1 (original) and BA.2. “So-called recombinant variants arise when one person is infected with two or more variants of the virus at the same time. The team in the body transmits and mixes genetic information between variants of the virus. During the pandemic, such a mutation has already occurred several times, in fact, it is nothing special, “Jiřincová explained.
Precise information on the infectivity of the new variant is at the beginning of the study. United Kingdom Health Safety Agency informs that the infectivity of XE is 9.8 percent higher than in the case of the already infectious second variant BA.2. The World Health Organization has so far reported up to 10 percent higher infectivity, which Šerý also mentioned in his contribution. Experts have indicated that this information will be further examined. It is the same with symptoms.
Based on previous experience, experts predict flu-like symptoms. That is, a cold, sneezing and sore throat. “Omicron currently has a sore throat and headache, then a dry cough. These symptoms gradually alternate and sinusitis and nasopharynx, stuffy nose and fever are added. Fortunately, the lungs are not affected, “informs the neurobiologist on the social network.
“The omicron infection lasts about a week, but longer-lasting symptoms are no exception. Thus, even after seven days, the patient can be as infectious to his surroundings as at the beginning of the infection, ”adds Šerý. He also recommended suitable drugs.
For the treatment of current omicron infections can be recommended non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (some are highly effective), definitely do not give preventive antibiotics (only after consulting a doctor), high doses of many flavonoids, drinking, higher doses of melatonin, etc. are appropriate.
– O Šerý (@ omarsery1) April 3, 2022