A number of new Covid variants have been detected in the UK and Europe as cases continue to rocket across Britain.
Omicron BA.2 is currently the dominant variant in the UK, accounting for approximately 93.7 per cent of cases in England according to data from the Government body UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Although it appears to spread much quicker, and has being listed as a "variant of concern" there is no research to suggest there is a greater risk of hospitalisation, compared to Omicron BA.1.
As Covid variants encounter each other, they multiply and evolve by sharing their genome or characteristics, which results in a recombinant. The UKHSA's most recent analysis has determined three new recombinants, a term used when two variants merge, known as XF, XE, and XD. Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, reports the Sun.
Read more: Travel rules for Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal explained
It is highly common for viruses to mutate but only some mutations affect their ability to spread or avoid prior immunity from vaccination or infection, or their severity. Below are more details on four of the new variants with links to the UK and Europe.
BA.4
The UKHSA released a report on April 8 to say BA.4 had been found in England, Scotland, South Africa, Denmark and Botswana from January 10 to March 30. “Although the number of total genomes is small, the apparent geographic spread suggests that the variant is transmitting successfully,” the governing body reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently examining whether this strain of Omicron makes the vaccine ineffective. So far the Omicron family has not been significantly able to reduce the effectiveness of jabs, but a third jab is required to boost immunity.
Reuters reported Botswana's health ministry claiming cases of BA.4 detected in people aged 30 to 50 who were fully vaccinated were mild, Reuters reported. BA.5 is also being monitored by the WHO, but this has not yet been detected in the UK or even Europe, only in South Africa.
XE
As it's in the same lineage as Omicron, cases of XE mostly report cold-like symptoms. The new variant was first discovered in the UK on January 19, 2022, with 1,125 cases of XE have been identified in England as of April 8.
However, the virus is more likely to spread as it has been reported to be 10 per cent more transmissible than other strains, reports the Mirror. This particular new strain only accounts for 1 per cent of cases in Britain, according to data from UK health officials.
Health bosses do not believe this variant is more severe than its predecessors with the vaccine holding up the barrier against the virus successfully.
Professor Hopkins added: "This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness."
XF
38 cases of XF have been identified in the UK according to Government data released on March 22. No cases have been seen since mid-February and there is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK.
It is not currently being treated as a variant of concern in the UK but is being closely monitored.
XD
As it stands, XD has not been identified in the UK. However, 49 cases have been reported to global databases with the majority of these located in France. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK.
Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android
