Xinhua News Agency, London, April 1 (Reporter Guo Shuang) The British Health and Safety Agency recently released a report saying that the emergence of recombinant strains of the new coronavirus is not uncommon, and there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the growth advantages or other characteristics of the recombinant strain XE. In conclusion, the bureau will continue to monitor the situation.

  The UK Health Safety Authority report involved 3 recombinant strains: XF, XE and XD.

Among them, XD and XF are the recombinant strains of the delta strain and the subtype BA.1 of the Omicron strain, and XE is the recombinant strain of the subtype BA.1 and BA.2 of the Omicron strain .

  To date, the UK has reported 637 cases of infection with the XE strain, with the earliest sample dated to January 19 this year, the report said.

  In addition, 38 cases of infection with the XF strain have been reported in the UK, but no related infections have been identified since mid-February, and there is currently no evidence of community transmission of the strain within the UK.

The global database has so far reported 49 cases of XD strain infection, most of them in France and yet to be detected in the UK.

  Recombinant strains can arise when a person is infected with two or more mutant strains at the same time, and the genetic material of those strains mixes in the patient's body, according to the UK's Health Security Agency.

  Recombinant strains are not uncommon, especially when several mutant strains are circulating at the same time, said Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the UK's Health Security Agency.

Several such strains have been identified during the pandemic, and like many others, most recombinant strains die out relatively quickly.

  Hopkins noted that, as of now, there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about the XE strain's infectivity, severity, or impact on vaccine effectiveness.

The Department of Health and Safety will continue to closely monitor the situation.