Explained: What is the new XFG variant detected in India amid rising Covid cases?

India is once again seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, and this time, a new sub-variant is also in the mix.

While the JN.1 variant of Omicron has been around for a while, a newly emerging strain called ‘XFG’ has now been detected in the country, raising fresh concerns as infections are creeping up again.

According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), which monitors how the virus which causes Covid-19 evolves, as many as 163 cases of the XFG variant have been reported across India so far.

This rise in cases comes alongside a steady climb in active infections across the country.

According to the Union Health Ministry, India has now recorded over 6,500 active Covid-19 cases, with 769 new cases reported in just the last 48 hours.

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So, what exactly is this XFG variant? And does it pose a serious threat? Are vaccines effective against the new variant? Here’s what we know so far

Covid-19 in India: What is the XFG variant?

The XFG variant is a recombinant subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus—essentially, it’s the result of two earlier strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, merging together.

Recombinant variants like XFG typically emerge when someone is infected with two different versions of the virus at the same time, allowing the virus to “mix and match” its genetic code.

According to The Lancet journal, XFG falls under the Omicron family of Covid-19 variants, which has been the dominant global strain since late 2021. It was first detected in Canada.

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The study also points out that the XFG variant shows “strong immune evasion”—meaning it has the ability to dodge the body’s natural immune defences, helping it survive longer and spread more easily.

Where are the XFG cases in India?

The latest data from Insacog shows that India has reported 163 cases of the XFG variant so far.

Maharashtra has recorded the highest number with 89 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, each with six cases.

Telangana is the newest state on the list, with one confirmed case.

Most of these infections—159 cases—were detected in May 2024, while two each were reported in April and June.

Is there a reason to worry?

For now, the answer seems to be no.

There is currently no evidence suggesting that the XFG variant causes more severe illness or leads to higher death rates compared to other Omicron sub-variants.

As with most strains that evolved from Omicron, XFG is mostly associated with mild upper respiratory symptoms, particularly in people who are vaccinated or have previously recovered from Covid-19.

So far, XFG has not been labelled a Variant of Concern (VOC) or Variant of Interest (VOI) by either the World Health Organisation (WHO) or India’s Ministry of Health. That means it hasn’t been linked to serious outbreaks, a rise in hospitalisations, or issues with vaccine effectiveness—at least not yet.

That said, health experts remain cautious.

The virus is still evolving, and variants that evade immunity or develop mutations that improve their ability to bind to human cells (especially through the spike protein) could cause future waves if not closely watched.

“According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, 66 per cent of current respiratory viral infections in India are Covid-related. However, hospitalisation is low, including in Telangana. People with two or more comorbidities, weakened immunity, or above 70 years should remain alert,” Dr Kiran Madala, who is also a professor at Gandhi Medical College, told The Times of India.

Are vaccines effective against the XFG variant?

The good news is that India’s current Covid-19 vaccines, including Covaxin, Covishield, and the newer booster shots, are still believed to provide protection against severe illness and hospitalisation from the XFG variant.

Health experts say that while mild breakthrough infections can still occur, especially as antibody levels decline over time, the T-cell immunity developed through vaccination is likely to stay effective.

Covid-19 cases cross the 6,500 mark

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s active Covid-19 cases have now surpassed 6,500, pointing to a steady uptick in infections.

The Ministry also confirmed 65 Covid-related deaths across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Kerala has emerged as the worst-hit state, with 1,957 active cases and seven new infections reported in just the last 24 hours. Amid the surge, the state government has made Covid-19 testing mandatory for individuals showing symptoms. They have also released updated guidelines, urging the public to take all necessary precautions.

With input from agencies