No cases of Omicron sub-lineage XE recorded in Russia - Research Institute of Influenza head

MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - No cases of Omicron sub-lineage XE, a recombinant of two Omicron variants, have been recorded in Russia to date, Director of the Russian Health Ministry's Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza Dmitry Lioznov said.

"As of this moment, there have been no confirmed cases of infection with this [XE] and other recombinant variants of SARS CoV-2," the ministry's press service quoted Lioznov as saying.

XE is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages, he said.

"It was first detected in the UK in January 2022, and about 640 cases of infection with the virus have been recorded to date," Lioznov said.

Research indicates that it is capable of faster spread in vitro, which suggests that it is more contagious. The assumption has yet to be confirmed," he said.

At least nine recombinant variants of the novel coronavirus have been discovered so far, Lioznov said.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases, their complications and unfavorable consequences, he said.

"According to test results, the Sputnik V vaccine is effective against both sub-lineages of the Omicron variant, BA.1 and BA.2, and helps prevent severe cases of Covid-19 induced by the recombinant variant, which is a hybrid of two Omicron sub-lineages," Lioznov said.

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