Authorities around the world are scrambling to get more data on the new “XE” variant – a hybrid variant that has been found internationally.WHAT IS THE XE STRAIN?Infectious Diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said the XE variant was a combination of the Omicron BA. 1 and BA. 2 subvariants of Omicron and was so far not present in large numbers in any population. “It‘s a combination of some of the B2 and B1 elements … The combinations they are finding are not in high numbers anywhere,” he said.Authorities in the UK have picked up about 630 cases of the strain so far with the earliest case reported on January 19.The UK Health Service Advisory said hybrid variants were “not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have already been identified over the course of the pandemic”.“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,” UKHSA chief medical Adviser Susan Hopkins said.Experts are worried a new subvariant of Omicron BA. 2 could see a devastating surge in infections and deaths.SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?Professor Collignon said there had been no suggestion so far that the vaccines were less effective on the XE variant.“Every time we‘ve had a new variant, or a modification, in each instance, vaccines have still worked in preventing death and hospitalisation,” he said.“The vaccines that we‘ve got, which are based on the original Wuhan strain, have been protective against all the variants, and subvariants for the things that matter, which is death and serious disease.“We need to not get into a panic every time there is a new strain unless there is a sign it‘s causing death more often or hospitalisation more often or the vaccine isn’t working.”HOW WILL XE IMPACT THE UPCOMING FLU SEASON?Prof Collignon said there were very few influenza isotopes recorded in Australia so far, but that number would grow as more tourists arrived from the northern hemisphere.“I suspect we will see an average or below average flu season, but people still need to get their flu vaccination.” Prof Collignon said adults were not very likely to be at risk of catching both the flu and Covid at the same time, but the risk was higher in children.Virologist Professor Tony Cunningham said the worst-case scenario would be a “double whammy” of a flu epidemic and Omicron cases.Flu shot“I think NSW health in its wisdom has foreseen that there could be a load on health facilities, particularly hospitals, through a double whammy of the flu and BA. 2,” he said.“We are hoping BA. 2 might decline before we get a full flu season. A worst-case scenario would be you get ongoing BA. 2 and then a flu epidemic on top of it and people over 65 … end up in hospitals.“This would further strain resources which are now devoted to catch-up for elective surgery and other things that have been put on hold.”IS NSW PREPARED FOR THE FLU SEASON?GP Dr Jamal Rifi said elderly and vulnerable people would be more susceptible to the flu this season and GPs were bracing themselves for a spike in Covid and flu cases.“Because of the lockdown of the past two years because they did not get exposed to the virus, so their immune response won’t be as strong. If they missed the flu vaccines in the past two years that’s an additional risk factor to their vulnerability,” he said.“After two years of Covid and hospitals and nurses being tired and run down, that is going to put a lot more pressure on general practice. My message is loud and clear, those who haven’t had their booster, they should have it before winter.”Dr Rifi said there was “fatigue” in the community around immunisation and a public awareness campaign could help.“I know for a fact that there is fatigue about immunisation in general and in particular around the Covid vaccination. People don’t’ want to talk about it, they’ve formed their opinion and they are sick of me telling them to have their Covid vaccine and flu vaccine,” he said.“Any general practitioner will tell you the winter is our busiest time, and any patients will tell you that in winter they really try to avoid going to hospitals because waiting time in hospitals is very high.”
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