Termed as ‘More Contagious’, COVID-19’s XEC Variant Spreads to 27 Countries
Termed as ‘More Contagious’, COVID-19’s XEC Variant Spreads to 27 Countries
What is XEC?The XEC variant is a hybrid of the earlier Omicron sub-variants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, and is now spreading across 27 countries.
What is XEC?The XEC variant is a hybrid of the earlier Omicron sub-variants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, and is now spreading across 27 countries.
Origin and SpreadFirst observed in Germany in June, XEC has been detected in samples from the US, UK, Denmark, and other European countries.
Origin and SpreadFirst observed in Germany in June, XEC has been detected in samples from the US, UK, Denmark, and other European countries.
Current Prevalence
XEC accounts for 16-17% of COVID-19 cases in Denmark and Germany, and 11-13% in the UK and the Netherlands.
Current PrevalenceXEC accounts for 16-17% of COVID-19 cases in Denmark and Germany, and 11-13% in the UK and the Netherlands.
Contagiousness
Scientists believe XEC has a set of mutations making it more contagious than other recent variants, potentially becoming the dominant strain.
Contagiousness
Scientists believe XEC has a set of mutations making it more contagious than other recent variants, potentially becoming the dominant strain.
Vaccines and XECCurrent COVID-19 vaccines are believed to still offer good protection against the XEC variant, despite its slight transmission advantage.
Vaccines and XECCurrent COVID-19 vaccines are believed to still offer good protection against the XEC variant, despite its slight transmission advantage.
Expert InsightFrancois Balloux from University College London and Eric Topol from Scripps Research suggest XEC is just starting to spread and may take weeks or months to fully establish.
Expert InsightFrancois Balloux from University College London and Eric Topol from Scripps Research suggest XEC is just starting to spread and may take weeks or months to fully establish.
SymptomsSymptoms of XEC are similar to previous COVID-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches.
SymptomsSymptoms of XEC are similar to previous COVID-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches.
Monitoring Efforts
Researchers are calling for closer monitoring of XEC to better understand its symptoms and potential impact.
Monitoring Efforts
Researchers are calling for closer monitoring of XEC to better understand its symptoms and potential impact.
What's Next?As the variant continues to spread, scientists are keeping a watchful eye on XEC's development to determine its impact on the global pandemic landscape.
What's Next?As the variant continues to spread, scientists are keeping a watchful eye on XEC's development to determine its impact on the global pandemic landscape.