Why Xi Wasn't Chosen for a Variant

The Curious Case of Variant Naming: Avoiding 'Nu' and 'Xi'

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has a system for naming new SARS-CoV-2 variants, aiming for simplicity and to avoid stigmatising countries. This system uses letters from the Greek alphabet, following an established sequence. However, when it came to naming a recent variant, the WHO made a conscious decision to skip over two letters: 'Nu' and 'Xi'. This choice wasn't arbitrary, but rather a carefully considered move rooted in both phonetic clarity and diplomatic sensitivity.

A Shift from Geographical Designations

In the early stages of the pandemic, new variants were often identified and named after the geographical location where they were first detected. This led to terms like the 'UK variant' or the 'South African variant'. While seemingly straightforward, this practice was found to be potentially stigmatising, unfairly associating specific countries with the spread of the virus. To address this, the WHO adopted a new naming convention in May, utilising the Greek alphabet in alphabetical order. This approach aimed to create a neutral and universally recognisable system.

The Greek Alphabet Sequence

The WHO's Greek alphabet naming strategy followed a logical progression. For instance, the variant initially known as the 'English variant' became Alpha, the 'South African variant' was designated as Beta, and subsequent variants were named Gamma and Delta. This system provided a clear and consistent method for tracking and discussing different strains of the virus. Following this sequence, the next logical letter after 'Mu' (the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet) would have been 'Nu' (the 13th letter).

Phonetic Considerations: The 'Nu' Dilemma

The WHO explained its decision to bypass 'Nu' due to its phonetic similarity to the English word 'new'. The organisation was concerned that using 'Nu' could lead to confusion, especially in public discourse, where differentiating between a variant name and the general descriptor 'new' variant would be challenging. This pragmatic approach prioritised clear communication and aimed to prevent misunderstandings in a rapidly evolving global health crisis.

Diplomatic Sensitivities: The 'Xi' Conundrum

The decision to skip 'Xi' (the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet) was also driven by diplomatic considerations. The WHO's guidelines for naming diseases encourage avoiding offence to any ethnic, professional, national, regional, social, or cultural groups. 'Xi' is a common surname in many parts of the world, and notably, it is the surname of the current leader of China, Xi Jinping. Naming a significant global variant after a prominent political figure could have been perceived as politically charged or even offensive, potentially creating international friction. Therefore, to maintain neutrality and avoid any perception of political bias or cultural insensitivity, the WHO opted to skip 'Xi' as well.

The Chosen Name: Omicron

With 'Nu' and 'Xi' bypassed, the WHO moved on to the next letter in the sequence, 'Omicron' (the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet). Omicron became the designation for the variant initially identified in South Africa, later known as B.1.1.529. This choice of 'Omicron' was seen as a continuation of the established naming convention, adhering to the principles of simplicity, clarity, and diplomatic neutrality.

Omicron's Significance

Omicron was designated as a Variant of Concern (VOC) by the WHO. It followed Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, which were the previous VOCs. Delta, at the time Omicron emerged, was the dominant variant in Europe. The emergence of Omicron highlighted the ongoing evolutionary nature of the virus and the importance of the WHO's systematic approach to tracking and naming new variants to facilitate global understanding and response efforts.

Summary of Variant Naming Logic

To summarise the WHO's approach:

Why is a clear naming system important?

A clear and consistent naming system for viral variants is crucial for several reasons:

• Public Health Communication: It allows health authorities, scientists, and the public to communicate about specific strains of the virus accurately and efficiently.
• Tracking and Surveillance: It aids in epidemiological tracking and surveillance efforts, helping researchers monitor the spread, evolution, and impact of different variants globally.
• Scientific Research: Standardised names facilitate scientific collaboration and the sharing of research findings related to specific variants.
• Avoiding Stigma: As mentioned, using neutral names prevents the stigmatisation of countries or regions where a variant may have first been detected.
• Media Reporting: It provides the media with clear terms to use when reporting on the pandemic, reducing the likelihood of misinformation or confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why did the WHO start using Greek letters?
The WHO adopted the Greek alphabet naming system to move away from geographically based names, which were found to be stigmatising to specific countries.

Q2: Which letters has the WHO skipped so far?
The WHO explicitly skipped 'Nu' and 'Xi' for the reasons explained above. Other letters may have been skipped if they were already in use or if there were other reasons for avoidance.

Q3: Will the WHO eventually use 'Nu' or 'Xi' for future variants?
It is unlikely that 'Nu' or 'Xi' would be used for future variants given the established reasons for skipping them. The WHO will likely continue down the Greek alphabet for new designations.

Q4: Is Omicron the last variant to be named?
No, the virus continues to evolve, and new variants may emerge. The WHO will continue to monitor and name them according to its established system.

Q5: What are the criteria for a variant to be named?
Variants are typically given a Greek letter name when they are designated as a 'Variant of Interest' (VOI) or a 'Variant of Concern' (VOC) by the WHO, indicating they possess characteristics that could increase transmissibility, virulence, or immune escape.

Conclusion

The WHO's decision to skip 'Nu' and 'Xi' in its variant naming convention exemplifies a thoughtful approach that balances scientific accuracy with societal and diplomatic considerations. By prioritising clear communication and avoiding potential pitfalls, the organisation ensures that the naming of viral variants serves as a useful tool in the global fight against pandemics, rather than a source of confusion or division.

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