The XFG variant of COVID-19, nicknamed “Frankenstein” Due to its combination of different sublines of the virus, it has become the most widespread strain in Germany. Although it has generated cases described as “razor blade throat,” the World Health Organization (WHO) and various specialists agree that the overall risk remains low.
Every year new mutations of SARS-CoV-2 emerge that cause respiratory infections in Europe, and on this occasion, XFG has positioned itself as the dominant one in German territory. His nickname is due to his particular genetic makeup, since it results from the combination of different virus fragments, which has led the media to compare it with the mythical monster created by Dr. Frankenstein.
LEE: One in 5 patients with measles can present complications if not treated in time
Origin and expansion of the XFG
The WHO officially classified this variant as “under surveillance” (OF THE) on May 23, 2025, after it was detected its rapid spread in China, where in a few weeks he came to represent more than 10% of global infections. Since the middle of that same year, the XFG began to predominate in Germany and other European countries.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 71% of the 49 samples analyzed between September 22 and 28, 2025 corresponded to this lineage, which shows that currently the majority of infections in the country are caused by the Frankenstein variant.
Despite its prevalence, the number of new cases remains relatively low. Between October 6 and 12, the RKI reported 6,440 confirmed infections, almost 50% less than those registered in the same period of 2024. In contrast, during October 2020 infections exceeded 7 thousand daily, even reaching 19 thousand at the end of that month.
The origin of the nickname “Frankenstein”
The popular name of this strain comes from its genetic structure: XFG arises from the recombination of sublines LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, that is, a mixture of genetic material from different viruses. According to virologists, this type of recombination is a common phenomenon in the evolution of pathogens.
The term “Frankenstein” is not new. It was first used in 2021 by virologist Alex Sigal, from South Africa, to refer to the large number of mutations of the Ómicron variant. Later, British media such as The Daily Mail and The Sun popularized this analogy, which has now been taken up by the German press to describe the XFG.
Symptoms and risk level
One of the symptoms most mentioned by patients infected with this variant is the so-called “razor blade throat”, an intense burning or painful sensation when swallowing, which some describe as if blades were passing through the throat. Doctors from different German regions have confirmed an increase in cases with this type of discomfort, although it has not been proven that it is an exclusive sign of XFG.
The WHO and the RKI agree that the risk level is low and that symptoms, such as throat irritation or hoarseness, are common to many respiratory infections, Therefore, they do not allow us to distinguish with certainty between Covid-19 and other diseases such as seasonal flu.
LEE: Corn growers block alternative routes to enter and leave the city
BB
The post COVID-19: “Frankenstein” is the “new” variant and this is what it means appeared first on Veritas News.
