A new variant of the Covid virus, named XEC, has started spreading rapidly across Europe and other parts of the world. As concerns grow about its potential to become the dominant strain, scientists are paying close attention to its characteristics, spread, and potential impact. Here’s everything you need to know about the XEC Covid Variant, including its origins, symptoms, and expert recommendations for staying protected.
What is the XEC Covid Variant?
XEC Covid Variant is a sublineage of the omicron variant, the strain that has caused most Covid cases since late 2021. It is a hybrid of two previously discovered subvariants of omicron, known as KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. These two subvariants belong to different categories that describe the specific mutations they carry, which affect how the virus binds to human cells.
- KS.1.1 is known as a FLiRT variant, characterized by mutations in the spike protein—specifically, changes in the building block molecules phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L), and arginine (R) to threonine (T).
- KP.3.3 falls into the FLuQE category, with a key mutation that changes glutamine (Q) to glutamic acid (E) on the spike protein, making it more effective in attaching to human cells.
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The combination of these mutations gives XEC an edge in its ability to spread rapidly and potentially outcompete other subvariants of the omicron lineage.
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Where Did XEC Covid Variant Originate?
The XEC variant was first detected in Berlin, Germany, in June 2024. Since then, it has begun to spread across Europe, North America, and Asia. According to Covid data analyst Mike Honey, Slovenia experienced high infection rates with XEC in August, with over 10% of its Covid case samples testing positive for the variant. In recent weeks, the variant has been growing steadily in countries such as Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.
Recombinant variant XEC is continuing to spread, and looks a likely next challenger against the now-dominant DeFLuQE variants (KP.3.1.1.*).
— Mike Honey (@Mike_Honey_) September 15, 2024
Here are the leading countries reporting XEC. Strong growth in Denmark and Germany (16-17%), also the UK and Netherlands (11-13%).
🧵 pic.twitter.com/rLReeM9wF8
Experts are closely monitoring its spread, with some, like Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, warning that XEC could soon become the dominant Covid variant. “At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next,” Topol said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in September.
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Why Is XEC Covid Variant a Concern?
What makes XEC particularly concerning is its increased transmissibility. Though it belongs to the same omicron lineage as previous variants, its unique combination of mutations appears to give it a stronger ability to infect people. As researchers predicted in August, XEC Covid Variant has indeed started to spread more rapidly, with over 500 samples from 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China, testing positive for the variant.
While XEC is not yet the dominant strain globally, its rapid spread suggests that it could soon outcompete other variants. This could lead to higher case numbers in the coming months, especially in regions where vaccination rates are low or where booster shots have not been widely administered.
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What Are the Symptoms of XEC?
The symptoms of the XEC Covid Variant are similar to those of previous Covid variants, particularly omicron. They include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Loss of sense of smell
- Loss of appetite
- Body aches
Although the symptoms closely resemble those seen with earlier omicron subvariants, experts are urging people to remain vigilant and monitor any potential changes in the severity or duration of symptoms as the variant spreads.
How to Stay Protected Against XEC Covid Variant
Despite its higher transmissibility, experts say that current Covid vaccines and booster shots should provide sufficient protection against severe illness and hospitalization caused by XEC Covid Variant. Since XEC is still part of the omicron lineage, the immune response triggered by vaccines designed for omicron is expected to remain effective.
Here's @ShanLuLiu1's recent thread on KP.3.1.1https://t.co/BZIi6QLg8O
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 13, 2024
In addition to vaccination, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. This includes:
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, especially in regions with high transmission rates.
- Improving indoor ventilation to ensure cleaner air.
- Staying home when feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of Covid.
- As the virus continues to evolve, staying up to date with vaccinations, including booster shots, remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from severe illness.
Monitoring and Future Research
With XEC Covid Variant growing steadily in Europe and other regions, researchers are calling for increased monitoring of the variant to better understand its spread and potential impact. While current data suggests that the symptoms are no more severe than those caused by other omicron subvariants, its higher transmissibility poses a challenge to public health efforts aimed at controlling the virus.
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Public health agencies and researchers worldwide are working to gather more data on the XEC Covid Variant, including its potential to cause more severe illness or evade immunity. In the meantime, experts are emphasizing the importance of continued vaccination campaigns and public health measures to reduce the spread of Covid, particularly as the virus continues to mutate.
Conclusion
The XEC Covid Variant, though not yet the dominant strain globally, is spreading rapidly across Europe and beyond. As a sublineage of omicron with a unique combination of mutations, it is more contagious than many other variants, making it a growing concern for health officials. However, experts believe that vaccines and booster shots will offer sufficient protection against severe illness, provided people stay up to date with their vaccinations.
Staying informed about new developments and adhering to recommended safety measures will be crucial in navigating the ongoing pandemic as new variants like XEC emerge
