XE is the recombinant variant of Omicron BA 1 and BA 2
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has confirmed one case of COVID XE variant. The report comes when the country is seeing a slow downfall in the number of active COVID cases after a sudden spike.
It is known to all that COVID is far from being over. Less number of cases does not mean that the golden time has arrived where we can drop the guards. A number of reasons can account for the low number of cases, one of which is most probably the COVID safety protocols which are being followed by people.
What does the INSACOG report say about COVID in India?
The INSACOG's recent weekly bulletin says that Omicron (BA.2) is the dominant variant in India till date while confirming the one case of XE variant.
XE is the recombinant variant of Omicron BA 1 and BA 2. "Suspected recombinant sequences are under further analysis," the report adds.
"BA.2.10 and BA.2.12 are BA.2 sub-lineages that have been detected and many old BA.2 sequences have been reclassified into these new sub-lineages. So far these sub-lineages are not reported to be associated with increased severity of disease," the INSACOG says.
What do we know so far about the XE variant?
XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA1 and BA2. A recombinant is generated when an individual is infected with more than one variant of the virus. The recombinant carries the genetic material of both the variants.
Omicron is the causative variant of COVID infection worldwide. So far, among the variants of Omicron found in India, BA.2 is commonly seen.
On whether recombinants are more dangerous than their parent viruses, Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor, UK Health Security Agency says, "as with any other coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, the vast majority do not confer any advantage to the virus and die out relatively quickly."
This variant has been detected in the UK. As per a report, the variant has also been detected in Thailand.
India has confirmed one case of the XE variant.
Read: Healing properties of 'Mudras' and how to do them properly
How many cases of XE have been confirmed so far?
While India’s COVID surveillance team has confirmed one case of XE, from among the two suspected cases which were reported last month, worldwide more than 600 cases have been confirmed till April.
"A total 637 cases of XE – a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 – have been confirmed in the UK so far. The earliest of these has a specimen date of 19 January 2022," says an October 2021 report of the UK Health Security Agency; this report was updated on March 25.
What are the symptoms of XE variant induced COVID infection?
So far, only mild symptoms of the XE variant have been reported.
No severe symptoms have been reported till now.
Experts in India have warned people to wear masks and keep hands clean and sanitised frequently in order to avoid contracting the infection.
The common symptoms of COVID are cough, fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose and scratchy throat. Among other symptoms are loss of smell and taste, and pain in the body. In serious cases, a patient may experience shortness in breath, and chest pain.
Experts have agreed that there is no evidence as of now to claim that the XE recombinant can cause severities in patients.
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