What You Need to Know About the XEC COVID Variant

It could be said that the world is going through changes through COVID-19 waves, but on the other hand, there is a new and potential reason to worry about. It's called XEC and is fast spreading through Europe, North America, and Asia, and things are lining up to potentially become the dominant strain of winter months.

Known to be discovered in Germany in June 2024, XEC has gained popularity over its mutations recently, which makes it possibly more transmissible than any of the variants identified so far.

Here's everything you need to know about the COVID XEC variant and its potential impact.

What is the XEC Variant?

The XEC is a recombinant of two previously known Omicron subvariants—KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Like their ancestors, XEC is part of the highly infectious Omicron lineage responsible for most cases of COVID-19 since the end of 2021. It is the combination of mutations it has accumulated that makes XEC most worrisome, particularly the T22N mutation, which gives it a certain over fitness advantage over other variants. Experts consider XEC to have characteristics associated with FLiRT and FLuQE mutations.

Rapid Global Spread

XEC was first discovered in Berlin, Germany around the last days of June 2024. It has so far become widespread throughout 27 countries covering all major regions of Europe, North America, and Asia. It was previously reported in places such as China, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine, among other places, and it spread to four continents. In the United States alone, there have been at least 95 cases confirmed and many of those from the northeastern states of the United States. According to Mike Honey, data integration specialist, hundreds of more XEC cases have been identified globally. Because it had spread so fast, the scientists predict that by the end of 2024, XEC could become the most dominant strain. The mutations in XEC, particularly T22N, along with the traits of the Omicron lineage, provide a competitive advantage over other strains. The subvariants of Omicron are known by their advantages in transmissivity, but a strain such as XEC may turn out to be much more dangerous, making densely populated areas hugely exposed to the risk of contagion and even epidemic outbreaks. Through mid-September 2024, another Omicron variant named deFLuQE or KP.3.1.1 continues to lead more than half of all COVID-19 cases. As winter approaches, scientists believe that XEC and another emerging variant called MV.1 may soon overtake deFLuQE. The MV.1, which was first identified in Maharashtra, India, has already spread to nine countries, including the U.S and some countries in Europe. However, it is the XEC that is believed to be the most significant challenge to confront because its mutations are believed to have better fitnesses for rapid spread.

XEC Variant Symptoms

Although the XEC variant has many features similar to those of other types of COVID-19 strains, this variant has not yet been officially stated by health authorities to cause certain isolated symptoms. It, like earlier variants, might present the common symptoms of COVID-19 as outlined below:

High fever
Persistent cough
Exhaustion and body pains
Sore throat

Such infections can even lead to severe cases and may make a patient not breathe well, or have chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If any of these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Can Vaccines Prevent XEC?

With public health urging everybody eligible for booster shots to get those vaccines before the winter season. Even with the high transmissibility of the XEC strain, the available COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against severe illness. According to Doctors, booster doses should be continued because they play a vital role for maintaining protective immunity in the most susceptible groups. Immunization continues to be advocated by health care providers as a means to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its progression to severe illness.

Inputs by Agencies

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