The constant change of the corona virus can be represented well in the form of a family tree. If the genetic changes lead to a new variant that prevails, a new branch is added. Sometimes, however, new variants do not arise solely through mutations, but – to stay with the natural comparison – through the merging of two branches.
Such so-called recombinant variants arise when someone is infected with two variants at the same time and these can exchange their genetic material. This is not uncommon so far – and not every recombinant becomes dominant.
New variant Omikron XE under observation
With a view to the corona virus, one of them, the so-called XE variant, has been under closer observation for a few weeks. Because it is currently growing 12.6 percent faster than the dominant omicron variant (BA.2). This is reported by the British health authority Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in their latest Technical Brief of 8 April. The XE recombinant arose from the combination of the currently dominant omicron variant (BA.2) and the less common omicron subtype BA.1, with a preponderance of BA.2.
Great Britain sequences significantly more samples than any other European country and is therefore usually one of the first to detect new variants. XE was first detected in the UK on January 19th and so far is mainly spreading in east and south-east London. By early April, 1,125 cases had been recorded. In the meantime, however, XE has also been detected in South Korea, Thailand, India, Japan and Israel.
Omikron XE: The new Corona variant in Germany
In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported only one XE case in its weekly report on April 21. However, the actual number is likely to be higher due to the lower frequency of sequencing. According to the RKI, there has been another one in this country so far Recombinant from BA.1 and BA.2 called XM with 90 documented cases more common.
So far, XE does not seem to cause any new symptoms compared to the dominant omicron variant (BA.2), but mainly the same mix of cold and digestive tract symptoms. Likewise, XE does not seem to lead to more severe courses or an increase in severe cases. However, experts emphasize that there is not yet enough data on the risk of infection, the severity of the disease or the effectiveness of the vaccine.
–
–
–
No “worrying variant” yet
So far, the World Health Organization has not classified XE as a “variant of concern”. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), their “clinical, epidemiological and virological characterization” is still in progress. The British health authority UKHSA also wants to continue monitoring the spread for the time being. It is important to find out whether the somewhat faster spread – especially in unvaccinated people and people without boosters – leads to more cases of illness and thus potentially to more complications.
So far, Omicron-XE propagates far more slowly versus Omicron-BA.2 than Omicron versus Delta. While between the first Omicron report in England and the complete dominance of this variant – with 99 percent of all sequenced cases – just six weeks passedXE makes even after three months less than one percent of all sequenced cases.
(vsz)
–
