JAKARTA - India has again been alerted by the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 known as XFG, a recombinant variant originating from Omicron derivatives.
According to the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the XFG variant have been confirmed across several states, with Maharashtra recording the highest number of cases, namely 89 cases.
Reporting from the Indian TV page, the XFG variant is the result of recombination from two viral lineages, namely LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. This variant was first identified in Canada, but has now shown rapid spread globally.
According to a report from the medical journal The Lancet, XFG has four important mutations in the spike proteins His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile which make this virus have the ability to evade the immune system. In other words, this variant can survive in the body even though a person already has natural immunity or vaccination.
How To Spread
Just like the previous COVID-19 variant, XFG spreads through:- Respiratory droplets when a person coughs, sneezing, or talks - Close contact with an infected person - A virus-contaminated surface
It is this easy spread that makes this variant a serious concern in the community which is starting to loose in implementing health protocols.
Symptoms
Symptoms of infection with the XFG variant are similar to other variants of COVID-19, especially Omicron. Here are some of the general reported symptoms: - Mild to moderate fever - Dry cough - Sore throat-neutral congestion or meler- Muscle pain or body- Fatigue
Although most XFG cases are mild, especially in individuals who have been vaccinated, there are still risks for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
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Prevention
The Indian government and health experts again remind the public not to be careless. Prevention measures that can be taken include: - Equipping COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses - Wearing masks, especially in closed spaces or public places - Keeping social distance - Washing hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizers - avoiding crowds, especially if you feel unwell- Immediately do a test if symptoms appear
Although there have been no reports of an increase in severe cases or deaths from the XFG variant, health authorities are still closely monitoring through genomic surveillance and case data collection. This step is important to ensure this variant does not develop into a more serious threat.
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