XEC Coronavirus strain in Europe and beyond
A new strain of Coronavirus called XEC is spreading through Europe and the USA right now, and experts are worried it might take over in Spain as winter approaches. This variant belongs to the Omicron family and was first identified in Germany in June 2024. Since then, it has been found in several countries, including France, Ireland, Spain, and the UK.
Cold Weather Increases Respiratory Infections
Dr. Scott Roberts, an expert in infectious diseases at Yale Medicine, pointed out that the rise in respiratory infections around the world aligns with the emergence of a new variant, which appears to spread more quickly than earlier versions in some regions of Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not officially labeled XEC as a ‘variant of concern’, but has confirmed that it is being monitored. Dr. William Schaffner from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee mentioned that XEC has many similarities to previous Omicron variants. In an article for The New Scientist, he remarked, "You could consider these new variants to be like their great-grandchildren or grandchildren."
No Reports Of Unusual Symptoms
The latest variant spreads rapidly and easily, but it generally leads to milder symptoms compared to previous strains, meaning most infections will be mild. The primary symptoms associated with XEC include fever, loss of taste and smell, tiredness, headaches, body pain, a runny nose, and a continuous cough. No new symptoms have been identified that are unique to the XEC variant.
The existing vaccines will continue to offer strong protection and work well against this new variant. Experts also assure us that there's no reason to panic, as it's normal for Covid strains to change over time.
