Mumbai reports first case of XE variant in India

Mumbai reports first case of XE variant in India

Team Ambitiousbaba are here with a Current Affairs Special Series. In this series, candidates will be introduced to current affairs topics daily, which will not only improve their general awareness but also will ensure that the candidates do not lack in any current affairs topic. Today’s Current Affairs topic is “Mumbai reports first case of XE variant in India”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reported a case of the XE variant of the corona virus in the city. The report is based on the initial genomic analysis of a sample collected from a South African national.

Rejection of the report:

Within hours, the Union health ministry resisted the report, saying that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has not confirmed it yet. INSACOG is a network of laboratories involved in genomic surveillance of Covid-19 viruses.

However, scientists linked up with the crucial project point out that it may only be a matter of time before the existence of the variant, with properties of both the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-types of Omicron, is established in India, if it has been confirmed in other countries.

What is the XE recombinant variant?

The variant of corona virus XE was first reported in the UK in January 2022. It is the recombined variant of two different Omicron strains—BA.1 and BA.2.

As per the UK health ministry its spreading pace is faster than omicron but it has not been identified that it has more potential towards health or not.

Even the guideline by the WHO has not identified XE as a Variant of Concern (VoC) as yet.

What we do not know yet:

Scientists are yet to find out the exact rate of transmission of the XE and its capacity of leading to different disease characteristics, including severity, as compared to other Omicron variants.

This new variant is being closely supervised by WHO and scientists in several countries for any related public health risk.

Is there any alert for India?

As per the top scientists and health experts XE variant is being monitored closely but as per health data, India may not be see differences as population has vaccinated against Covid-19.

Question & Answer:

Q1. What is the name of new variant of Corona virus found in India?

Ans. XE variant

Q2. In which Indian city new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is identified?

Ans. Mumbai, Maharashtra

Q3. In which country XE variant of Covid was reported first time?

Ans. The United Kingdom

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