XEC Variant: The Next Big Covid-19 Threat?

XEC variant spreading quickly

The newly identified XEC Covid-19 variant, a combination of the earlier Omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, has been spreading quickly across Europe and beyond. First detected in Germany in June, it has since been found in 27 countries, including the UK, US, Denmark, and China. Experts have observed that XEC has a “slight transmission advantage” compared to other variants.

Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, noted that while XEC could spread further during autumn, current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness.

The XEC variant is notably prevalent in Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, remarked that “XEC is clearly gaining ground and seems to be the next prominent variant, though it may take a few months before it reaches high levels of prevalence.”

Symptoms associated with the XEC variant are akin to those of previous Covid-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches. Vaccines and booster shots remain recommended to help protect against severe illness and hospitalization.

Health authorities, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend practicing good hygiene and improving air quality to help curb the spread of the virus. Researchers stress the importance of closely monitoring the XEC variant to gain a better understanding of its symptoms and behavior.