VARIANT COVID. A new recombinant was detected for the first time in England on January 19, 2022. This is the XE variant, a mix between the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineages. It would be 10% more contagious than BA.2. What is the XE variant? What are the symptoms of the XE variant? Where does he ride? In France ? We take stock.
After the variants of Covid, here are the recombinants. The sub-variant XD (recombinant Delta-Omicron) is already monitored by Santé Publique France. It’s the turn of XE variant to ask questions. This is’ “anot recombinant of the BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants (Omicron)“explained the Dr. Maria Van Kerkhoveepidemiologist at the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 5, 2022. The first case of the XE variant was detected on January 19 in England. This new Covid sub-variant is currently present in Israel, Thailand, India and Canada. It would be 10% more contagious than BA.2. What is this new XE variant ? What are the symptoms ? What is his transmission ? How dangerous? Update on current knowledge.
Dr. @mvankerkhove talks about an Omicron recombinant called XE, its transmissibility, and how WHO monitors changes in the virus that causes #COVID19
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 6, 2022
Definition: what is the XE variant?
The XE variant was first detected on January 19, 2022 in England. It is “a recombinant of the BA.1 and BA.2 subvariantssaid World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove.Recombinant variants are not an unusual occurrence, particularly when there are multiple variants in circulation, and several have been identified during the pandemic to date. As with other variant types, most will die fairly quickly” reassured Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the British Health Security Agency (UKHSA). According to this agency, the majority of the virus (XE) genome belongs to BA.2.
What are the symptoms of the XE variant?
Symptoms of the XE variant don’t seem to be different from those of other variants and recombinants of the coronavirus. In Israel, the two patients with the XE variant”presented mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle achesand did not need specialized medical care” report the media Ha’aretz March 16.
In which countries has the XE variant been detected?
► In England. The first case of the XE variant was detected lon January 19, 2022. “He currently represents less than 1% of the total number of sequenced cases. As of March 22, there were 637 cases of XE variant in England“ according to the UK Health Security Agency.
► In Israel. Two people were detected as carriers of the combination of the BA.1 and BA.2 variants (the XE variant). “Both patients tested positive after undergoing a PCR test upon landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, and their samples were sequenced in Israel” reports the Haaretz newspaper.
► In Thailand. the April 2, a first positive case to the XE variant was detected according to the Bangkok Post.
► In India : The first indian case of the XE variant of the coronavirus was reported in Mumbai on April 6 according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
► To Canada : A case of XE variant has been discovered in Quebec, announced the Journal of Montreal the April 7.
Is the XE variant more contagious than the others?
“The XE variant is 10% more contagious than the BA.2 sublineage but we are still studying itreveals Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, of the WHO.This particular recombinant, XE, has shown variable growth rate and U.S can’t confirm yet if it has a real growth advantage [par rapport à BA.2]. So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity, or vaccine effectiveness“ nuanced Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the British Health Security Agency.
Is the XE variant present in France?
The XE variant has not yet been communicated from the Ministry of Health and/or health authorities for France.
Sources: Variants of COVID-19 identified in the UK, UK Health Security Agency, 25 March 2022 / WHO.