Live Blog

Brazil confirms first case of new coronavirus variant, XE

The Brazilian Health Ministry confirmed on Thursday that the first case of ‘XE’ had been detected. It is a strain derived from Omicron, the product of recombination of BA.1 and BA.2, two sub-lineages of the extremely contagious coronavirus variant that ravaged Brazil at the beginning of 2022

According to the Ministry’s report, the information was confirmed by Brazil’s Butantan Biological Institute. Recombination occurs when someone is simultaneously infected with two or more variants, exposing the body to a mix of the virus’s combined genetic material. The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) says, however, that this is a natural phenomenon. 

Brazilian experts claim that the amount of data collected so far is insufficient to say whether XE is more contagious than the previously detected coronavirus variants.

Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.

Recent Posts

Market Roundup: The new skills corporate board members need

The specialization trend among corporate board members It is not only a matter of perception:…

7 hours ago

As elections near, what’s next for Panama’s closed copper mine?

Panama will hold its presidential elections on Sunday, months after huge protests saw thousands descend…

8 hours ago

Madonna concert to inject BRL 300 million into Rio economy

The city of Rio de Janeiro estimates that a Madonna concert this Saturday on Copacabana…

1 day ago

Panama ready to vote as Supreme Court clears frontrunner

Latin America’s trend of banning opposition candidates from elections has caught on in an ever-growing…

1 day ago

Sabesp privatization edges closer with São Paulo legislation

The São Paulo City Council on Thursday approved legislation authorizing Brazil’s largest city to sign…

1 day ago

Brazil’s AI regulation gets first draft to guide upcoming debates

The preliminary report on AI regulations presented to Brazil’s Senate last week provides a middle-of-the-road…

1 day ago