What to know about the new covid-19 XEC variant

The Covid-19 variant XEC could be more contagious than earlier versions of the virus.

A new variant of covid-19, known as XEC, has begun to circulate globally, especially in Europe. Initial findings suggest it might spread more rapidly than earlier variants. However, health officials believe that this new strain is quite comparable to previous ones, and current vaccines are effective against it. Here’s what we know about XEC at this point.

Understanding The New COVID-19 XEC Variant

XEC is created from two different variants of SARS-CoV-2, called KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. It emerged when both variants infected the same host—be it an animal or a human—at the same time, enabling them to exchange genetic information.

XEC is a new version of the omicron variant, which is known for its rapid spread and originated in South Africa in 2021. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee explains, “These new variants can be considered as the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of omicron.” This indicates that they have similar traits to other omicron subvariants, including the ability to spread quickly and causing milder illness compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strains.

"Where And When Was XEC First Identified?"

XEC was initially discovered in August from COVID-19 samples that were gathered in Berlin two months prior.

The first instances of this variant were reported in Italy in May. However, the samples were not entered into the international database that monitors SARS-CoV-2 variants, known as the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GSAID), until September.

What Is The Current Count Of XEC Cases?

According to information from GSAID, over 600 instances of the XEC variant have been documented in 27 nations, such as the UK, Germany, Canada, and the US. However, Bhanu Bhatnagar from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe points out that “not every country provides regular updates to GSAID, which means the XEC variant is probably found in more countries than reported.”

According to Bhatnagar, the variant is widespread across Europe, with at least 13 countries confirming its presence. Recent data from GSAID shows that this month, XEC accounts for around 8% of all analyzed and reported samples from the continent, up from approximately 4% in August. The variant that is most frequently sequenced in Europe remains KP.3.1.1, which also belongs to the omicron family, making up 48% of all samples.

XEC is prevalent in France, accounting for about 21% of the analyzed COVID-19 samples. It is also becoming more common in Germany and the UK, making up 15% and 8% of sequenced samples in those countries, according to Francois Balloux from University College London.

The new variant has been identified in the US, constituting about 1 percent of the total cases, according to Balloux. However, XEC has not yet shown up on the variant tracker of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists variants that represent at least 1 percent of cases within a week.

"Signs And Symptoms Of XEC"

Up to this point, XEC shows symptoms similar to other COVID-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. "We're keeping an eye out to see if there are any unique clinical characteristics," Schaffner remarks. "We are skeptical, but we remain open to the possibility."

How Dangerous Is XEC? Here’s The Truth

According to Schaffner, XEC doesn't seem to pose a greater threat or lead to more serious illness compared to earlier COVID-19 variants. The World Health Organization also hasn't classified it as a variant of concern. This is largely due to its similarities with other omicron subvariants, which tend to result in milder symptoms than the earlier strains.

Is XEC More Transmissible?

James Fielding from the WHO notes that it's too soon to determine if XEC spreads more easily than other variants. However, since it has established itself alongside other circulating variants, it might possess certain traits that facilitate its transmission.

For example, an initial evaluation by Australian data expert Mike Honey indicates that XEC is likely to emerge as the primary strain in Europe and the UK by October. He also anticipates that this will happen in the US and Canada either later in the same month or in November.

"We'll just have to wait and find out how far this specific strain will spread," Schaffner explains.

Do COVID-19 Vaccines Still Protect Against XEC?

The positive news is that the existing COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to offer protection against XEC, according to Schaffner. This is due to the fact that the newer versions are designed to focus on omicron subvariants.

The CDC advises that anyone aged 6 months and older should get a new COVID-19 booster if they haven't yet this year. In the UK, updated vaccines are available for individuals 75 and older, as well as for those residing in care homes or with compromised immune systems.

In the end, Schaffner assures us that there's no need to worry about XEC. "The virus is just starting out, but it seems to be behaving like previous ones," he states. "My take is: it's nothing new."