What you should know about Omicron XE

Recently the World Health Organsation (WHO) has issued a warning against a new Covid-19 variant, Omicron XE.

Here’s what we know about the new variant thus far:

WHO through its latest report, states that Omicron XE is a recombinant strain, a mutant hybrid of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.

More data is required to determine how much of a threat the variant might be. Current data is insufficient to draw any conclusion.

In addition, there has been no evidence that Omicron XE can evade vaccines or cause more serious illnesses or increase the risk of death.

Omicron XE is not the only recombinant variant that has been detected in coronavirus - previously there were recombinant variants such as “Deltacron” which is a combination of Omicron and Delta variants.

In an article by Forbes, Chief medical adviser of United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Susan Hopkins, said recombinant viruses are not an unusual occurrence.

As a number of Covid recombinants have been identified during the pandemic, she said most recombinants die off relatively quickly, as with other variants.

The United Kingdom first detected the XE variation back in mid January. Now, the UKHSA has recorded more than 600 cases of Omicron XE.

As of March 22, 763 XE samples had been detected in the United Kingdom, with a small number of cases reported in Thailand.

Recently Mumbai, India has also detected its first Omicron XE case.

HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE?

In Malaysia, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently announced that Malaysia has not recorded any cases of Omicron XE.

Despite the downward trend of Omicron cases, experts have warned that the Omicron XE could be well on its way to Malaysia, what more with the borders reopened.

In a report by The Star, experts have warned that the new variant could potentially reach our shores within a month, given how cases have been detected in countries closer to home such as Thailand.

A medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said there is no indication that the Omicron XE variant could cause severe infections much like the Delta variant, however she noted that the risk was high for those who have yet to be vaccinated or had no previous infections.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OMICRON XE?

The symptoms of Omicron XE are closely linked to Omicron which sees shortness of breath, tiredness or exhaustion, an aching body, high temperature, a change in taste or smell, a persistent new cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and upset stomach.