Symptoms of XE recombinant variant

Omicron BA. 1 and Omicron BA. 2 have got mixed to form the XE recombinant virus variant which has been detected in Mumbai, India, across the Palk Straits.

Some of the symptoms of XE include fever, sore throat, scratchy throat, cough and cold, skin irritation and discolouration, gastrointestinal distress etc. In severe cases there could be a heart involvement, palpitations and nerve issues, it is learnt.

The XE recombinant variant was first detected in the United Kingdom (UK) in mid-January, with 637 cases being identified there since then. Now cases have been detected in India and Canada.

“Based on the initial analysis of available sequences, there is a slight growth advantage of this recombinant over BA. 2, about a 10% increase in transmissibility. Not 10 times as has been reported by some. We are analysing this to understand what these changes mean,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO via a video posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, two other hybrid viruses in circulation are XD which is of the French Delta x BA.1 lineage and XF which is a UK Delta x BA. 1 lineage. XD has been detected in France, Denmark and Belgium and XF in the UK.