Posted On: 2022-04-19 23:55:37
We have been seeing a new COVID variant every few weeks since the year 2020, and each variant has its own set of symptoms and precautions to follow. A "recombinant" variant has emerged, dubbed "Omicron XE."
What is this new "recombinant" variant?
A recombinant is where related viruses exchange genetic material to create offspring with genetic material from both parent viruses. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against the XE, a variant of Omicron.
XE is a recombination of BA.1 and BA.2 (sublineages of the Omicron variant). Many other BA.1 and BA.2 recombinants exist, including XQ in the United Kingdom, XG in Denmark, XJ in Finland, and XK in Belgium. The XE variant compromises very little portion of all the sequences in total. According to a WHO report, over 1,100 XE cases have been identified in England, India, China and Thailand.
Transmissibility
Research so far shows that the new mutant is more transmissible than any COVID19 variant previously detected. Yet, this mutant is not powerful enough to generate another wave in the world. Precisely, the mutant is 10% more transmissible than the previous one.
Some have mistaken the 10% more transmissible as 10 times more powerful than the previous one. However, this is incorrect, XE is just 1.1 times stronger and 10% more transmissible than the prior.
Symptoms
The severity of the XE variant differs from person to person and their status on vaccines and immunity. Hence, it is natural for symptoms and effects of the virus to vary in different individuals.
Some of the common symptoms observed so far are:
How concerned should we be?
Despite the transmissibility being 10 per cent more, the new variant has not become the 'variant of concern' till now. The clinical manifestation of the XE variant is not different from BA.1 or BA.2. It has not been found to cause a more severe form of the disease compared to other Omicron varieties.
The fact that there has been no significant increase in the incidence of the XE variant since its detection three months ago shows that it might not be a big worry at present.
However, cautions have to be taken by individuals to prevent any other problems.
COVID 19 XE Variant Cautions
The normal COVID 19 protocols like:
Preventing the spread of the new XE variant of COVID 19 is going to be simpler than before, especially when we know the variant is not as strong as the other ones.
Effectiveness of current vaccines on the XE variant
Amid rising cases of the XE variant and the waning immunity acquired by the previous two Covid19 doses, booster doses have been introduced. The third shot of the Covid19 vaccine, also referred to as a precautionary dose, could help fight highly transmissible XE and other Covid variants.
Although it is not confirmed yet that booster doses are effective on the new variant, more studies are on to find the same.
The Bottom line...
Current studies show that the new XE variant is not as severe as the previous Omicron mutants, despite it being more transmissible than others. Since the cases of the new variant rising, there are possibilities of a lockdown being imposed. However, precautions need to be taken to avoid any kinds of further problems.
With proper COVID 19 protocols being followed, this variant does not hold the power to generate another wave.
Filaantro is an online crowdfunding platform that raises funds for all and every cause that one truly believes in. During the lockdowns from 2020, Filaantro has worked tirelessly for COVID19 relief. We have distributed face masks, sanitisers, and other protective kits and provided oxygen cylinders to underprivileged people. To know more about fundraising on Filaantro, visit us at Filaantro.org
Author: Anjali Patel
Ready to Start a Fundraiser ?