Mumbai became the first city in India to report an Omicron XE case. The new strain, which has already raised alarm bells in the UK and the USA, is being actively tracked by the WHO. This variant is known to be 10 % more transmissible than the Omicron BA.2 subvariant, according to reports. The new variant has also caused a surge in Coronavirus infections. But is it a cause for concern in terms of severity? Let us find out.
What Exactly is Omicron XE?
As the pandemic progressed, the world witnessed a series of new variants. These were usually the result of genetic mutations caused when the virus replicated. Some of these mutations are silent, in other words, there is no structural change in the virus. Others, like the delta variant, had mutations in the spike protein, making them more transmissible.
The Omicron new variant is the result of an entirely different process called recombination. This is when two strains of virus affect a single cell. In some cases, the genetic material combines, giving rise to a new variant. The Omicron XE variant is the result of recombination between the Covid-19 BA.1 and BA.2 sub variants. While the others were more transmissible than previous delta, this variant potentially spreads even faster.
Symptoms of Omicron XE Infection
This variant is relatively new, with the first case reported in January 2022. Therefore, very little information is available about the symptoms. However, what is known to us is that there are a few additional symptoms.
Along with fever, cough, sore throat, cold, and mucus, skin discolouration and stomach issues have been observed. The Omicron XE virus is also more dangerous for individuals who already have some health issues.
How Severe is Omicron XE?
In India, the effect of Omicron was significantly different from the second wave. This was the result of more vaccinations during this period. However, in the UK and USA, the number of cases is quite high. In the UK alone, over 1700 cases were reported in just four months, despite full vaccination, according to the UK Health Security Agency. International travel is the main reason for the spread of the new variant to other parts of the world.
According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, this variant is likely to spread more rapidly. It is potentially thrice as contagious as the Covid-19 Delta variant. However, the data available for the Omicron new variant shows an increase in cases but a slower increase in hospitalizations.
So, experts believe that the severity of the infection itself may not be as bad as the Delta variant. The hospitalization rate for adults who were diagnosed with Coronavirus infection is 29% less than those who were diagnosed in mid-2020.
The initial data available for Omicron XE shows that the number of new infections is higher than subvariant BA.2. The latter is the most predominant variant in the UK currently. In terms of the severity, transmissibility and vaccine efficacy, Omicron shares similarities with the BA.2 strain. This is because most of its genetic information, even the spike protein, comes from the BA.2 strain.
However, there is very little information available currently to estimate how severe the new variant is in comparison to the previous ones. The only reassurance is that all omicron variants have caused less severe symptoms compared to the Delta and other variants. But they are extremely infectious as they spread faster.
Is the Current Vaccination Good Enough?
When there are changes in the spike protein, the efficacy of the vaccine also reduces. However, the current vaccination is known to be effective against the parent strains of the Omicron XE variant. Since the new variant is similar to the parent strains, it is likely to be evaded by the vaccine available.
However, all the vaccinations available are primarily based on the original strain from Wuhan. So, there is a need to update the vaccine. This has been a pressing issue since the emergence of new strains, even in the initial pandemic years.
Preventive Measures You Can Take
- Wear a mask when you are in crowded areas or common places.
- Sanitize packages that you receive.
- Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your eyes and face.
- Use a hand sanitiser.
- Make sure that your vaccination is updated.
- If you are eligible for a booster shot, make sure you get it at the earliest.
Conclusion
A lot more research is required to understand the exact characteristics of the new variant. It is impossible to tell whether it will be the last strain of this deadly virus. What we can continue to do is to take necessary preventive measures and stay safe.
