Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 23 Apr 2022, 04:46 am Print
Image: Pixabay NewZealand
Wellington: New Zealand reported its first case of Omicron XE variant at the border, said the Ministry of Health in a statement on Saturday.
A person who has traveled from overseas to New Zealand has been confirmed as having the XE variant of Omicron, said the ministry.
This is the first known detection of the Omicron XE variant in New Zealand, it said.
According to the ministry, the person, who is currently isolating at home, arrived in New Zealand on April 19 and was tested on April 20.
The whole-genome sequencing subsequently confirmed the XE variant.
"XE has been spreading overseas, and its arrival in New Zealand is not unexpected," said the ministry.
(With UNI/Xinhua inputs)
- Canada registers first case of clase I mpox
- USA: First case of bird flu infection reported in child in California
- Over 260 million people in USA will be either obese or overweight by 2050, reveals new study
- New report shows unhealthy eating drives $8 trillion in annual hidden costs
- WHO lists 17 pathogens as top priorities for developing new vaccine
