New Recombinant Variant 'XJ' Different from COVID-19 XE Variant Suspected in Thailand

Published 05 Apr.2022 18:22(KST)

Updated 06 Apr.2022 11:59(KST)

Infection Despite Two Doses of Sinopharm Vaccine

Electron microscope image of COVID-19. / Photo by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Following the COVID-19 XE variant, a suspected case of the XJ variant has emerged in Thailand, raising concerns about community spread. The XJ variant is a different recombinant variant from the XE variant, which is a combination of the original Omicron 'BA.1' and stealth Omicron 'BA.2'.

According to the Bangkok Post and The Nation on the 5th, Supakit Sirilak, Director of the Department of Medical Services at the Ministry of Public Health, announced yesterday that a delivery worker in his 30s in Thailand is suspected to have been infected with the Omicron XJ variant.

Despite having received two doses of the Chinese-made 'Sinopharm' vaccine, the man was infected. Supakit explained that he showed no significant symptoms after infection and has now fully recovered.

Genetic sequencing analysis conducted on the delivery worker on February 22 revealed a sequence very similar to that of the XJ variant.

According to Director Supakit, the XJ variant is another recombinant variant of BA.1 and BA.2 and was first identified in Finland.

The genetic analysis results of the man have been sent to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID).

Director Supakit stated, "Due to the nature of his job, this delivery worker met many people, which made him vulnerable to infection," adding, "More information is needed for confirmation."

Earlier, on the 2nd, the XE variant, a recombinant of BA.1 and BA.2, was detected in Thailand. Director Supakit added that it has not been confirmed whether the XE or XJ variants are more infectious or cause more severe symptoms compared to other variants, and that scientists are currently studying this.

Meanwhile, Thailand reported 20,188 new COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths on the same day.