New Delhi: According to the World Health Organization, a new mutant of the novel coronavirus known as XE seems to be approximately 10% more communicable than the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron. Till this, the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant was assumed to be the most contagious Covid-19 strain.
If the outcomes of this new study are substantiated, XE would become the most transmissible Covid-19 mutant ever. Meanwhile, the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant is spreading all around the globe, accounting for the bulk of new Covid-19 cases in the United States.
What exactly is XE?
The new evolution, XE, is a mutant cross between two Omicron variants: BA.1 and BA.2. At the moment, it only accounts for a small percentage of instances around the world.
Where did it first turn up?
In a report released earlier this week, the WHO stated, “The XE hybrid (BA.1-BA.2) was first found in the UK on January 19 and less than 600 variants have been reported and proven since then.”
Transmissibility
“Early estimates imply a communal growth rate advantage of 10% above BA.2, but this data has to be evaluated,” the global health organization said.
According to the WHO, the XE mutant will remain classified as part of the Omicron variant unless major changes in traits, such as severity and transmission are established.
Mutants from around the world
Three new hybrid strains, XD, XE, and XF, are already circulating, as per a study by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Omicron’s XD lineage is a hybrid of Delta and BA.1. According to reports, it has largely been spotted in France, Denmark, and Belgium.
According to Imperial College London virologist Tom Peacock, XD’s spread to multiple countries and the presence of the more severe Delta variant make it a strain to keep a close eye on.
XE is a hybrid of Omicron’s BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants. It was first identified in the United Kingdom and showed some signs of community transmission. XF is another Delta x BA cross.
