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‘Frankenstein’ XFG Subvariant Drives Nearly Half of Global COVID Cases

WHO has designated XFG a variant under monitoring with no signs of increased severity or hospitalizations.

(Switzerland), 07/08/2025.- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), briefs the media during a press conference organized by the Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU) at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, 07 August 2025. (Suiza, Ginebra) EFE/EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
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Overview

  • XFG emerged in late January through a natural recombination of Omicron subvariants LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, earning it the nickname "Frankenstein."
  • It surged from 7.4% of global cases in late May to 48.3% by July 20, overtaking other SARS-CoV-2 lineages within weeks.
  • Infections typically include fever, cough and fatigue alongside a distinctive hoarseness or temporary loss of voice.
  • The subvariant has been identified across Asia, Europe and the Americas; Mexican health authorities report no confirmed cases.
  • Health agencies continue recommending booster vaccinations, maintaining genomic surveillance and assessing the efficacy of existing mRNA vaccines and antivirals.