2024-10-05 18:31:53
The Covid XEC variant, which was first identified in June 2024, has already been detected in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries. Experts have expressed concerns that this strain could become the dominant virus variant by winter.
The Independent reports this.
Back in August, researchers predicted that the XEC strain could become more widespread within weeks or months. Currently, its cases have been recorded in 29 countries and 24 US states. The highest level of infection was observed in the Czech Republic, where XEC was detected in 16% of laboratory tests among Covid-19 patients. In total, over a thousand cases of this subvariant have been registered worldwide.
According to Covid data scientist Mike Honey, XEC is a sub-variant of Omicron. It was first discovered in the summer of 2024 in Berlin and has since rapidly spread throughout Europe, North America and Asia. As the article explains, XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, and its symptoms are similar to those of other coronavirus variants: patients experience fatigue, headaches, sore throat and fever.
Francois Balloux, director of the Institute of Genetics at University College London, noted that XEC is more infectious. However, he expressed confidence that adapted Covid-19 vaccines remain effective against the strain. Vaccination and revaccination, even if infected, will help mitigate the severity of the disease and reduce the likelihood of hospitalization.
Ballou also stressed that there is a high probability that XEC will become the dominant variant already in the winter, as it quickly evolves and displaces other subvariants. In this regard, scientists strongly recommend a more detailed study of XEC and its features. To date, symptoms in patients with this subvariant are similar to classic signs of Covid-19, such as fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell and appetite, and general weakness and body aches.
As stated in the publication, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges the population to strengthen precautions by observing hygiene rules and improving the quality of indoor ventilation.
Other sources report that by the end of September, the countries most affected by the new strain were Denmark and Germany. In Europe, the XEC penetration rate varies around 6%, however in some countries such as Slovenia it has already reached 10%. American scientist and director of the Scripps Research Institute Eric Topol noted that mutations characteristic of XEC contribute to its rapid spread, which is of particular concern among specialists.
Cursor previously wrote that scientists said that humanity needs to prepare for a new pandemic. The emergence and spread of new pathogens is inevitable.