The World Health Organization (WHO) warned about XE, a new mutation of the Omicron variant which could be more transmissible than any SARS-CoV-2 lineage detected so far.
According to early research, XE is a mix between the two Omicron bloodlines, the original BA.1 and the ‘stealthy’ BA.2. Initial estimates show that it is about 10% more transmissible compared to BA.2.
This variant was detected for the first time in January in the United Kingdom and more than 600 sequencings have been confirmed to date; It is also located in Thailand.
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In this sense, the WHO clarified that despite the fact that it has been considered that it may be more contagious than BA.2, more data is still needed to confirm the level of transmissibility as well as its degree of mortality and its resistance to vaccines.
“XE belongs to the omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, are reported. WHO continues to closely monitor and assess the public health risk associated with recombinant variants, along with other variants of SARS-CoV-2, and will provide updates as more evidence becomes available.” concludes the report WHO.
In the country, the application of the fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine began to people with some vulnerability who received the first booster five months ago.
The Minister of Health, Ximena Garzón, was pleased that “Ecuador already has more than five million people with the third dose,” but he insisted that those who have already completed five months since the application of the second dose, go to the vaccination centers to receive the first booster.
“We are also placing the fourth dose,” he said at a press conference, recalling that the vaccination plan first includes coverage of the most vulnerable population.
With EFE data