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WHO Adds XFG to Monitoring List as Variant Detected in 38 Countries

Early studies show current vaccines provide protection against the growing XFG strain

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A young woman sits sick in bed. Shuttertock

Overview

  • WHO designated XFG as a “variant under monitoring” on June 25, placing it in the early-warning tier below variants of interest and concern.
  • Global sequence data show XFG samples rose from 7% of submissions in early May to nearly 23% by late June, with confirmed cases in 38 countries.
  • U.K. health authorities estimate XFG accounts for about 30% of new COVID-19 infections while U.S. CDC figures report roughly 14% of recent cases as the subvariant.
  • Genetic analyses reveal that XFG arose from a recombination of Omicron subvariants LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 within the JN.1 lineage and carries nine additional spike protein mutations compared to NB.1.8.1.
  • Laboratory and animal studies indicate that existing JN.1-targeted vaccines and antiviral drugs such as nirmatrelvir and remdesivir are likely to remain effective against XFG.