So far, 500 samples from 27 countries have been found to contain XEC.
Scientists have issued a warning about a new, highly contagious variant of Covid-19 known as XEC, which is rapidly spreading across Europe and may soon become the dominant strain. Initially identified in Germany in June, the XEC variant has now been detected in various countries including the UK, US, Denmark, and others. Experts believe that although the new variant, a sublineage of the omicron variant, may spread more easily, existing vaccines should still provide protection against severe cases.
The XEC variant is a combination of the omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, with the latter currently prevailing in Europe. Over 500 samples from 27 countries, such as Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China, have tested positive for XEC, as reported by The Independent. Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands have seen significant growth of this variant.
Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, stated to BBC that while XEC may have a slight transmission advantage, vaccines should still be effective. However, he cautioned that XEC could potentially become the dominant subvariant during the winter.
Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, Eric Topol, expressed that XEC is in its early stages and will likely take a few weeks to gain momentum. He mentioned that although XEC is emerging as the next variant, it will take time before it reaches high levels.
Symptoms of XEC Covid
The symptoms associated with the XEC variant are similar to those of previous Covid strains, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches. Experts recommend staying up to date with vaccinations and booster shots to minimize the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Furthermore, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises practicing good hygiene and improving indoor air quality to prevent the spread of XEC. Researchers also emphasize the importance of closely monitoring the variant to better understand its symptoms.
