What to know about the new covid-19 XEC variant

A brand new covid-19 variant referred to as XEC has began to unfold worldwide, primarily in Europe. Early proof signifies that it might transmit extra simply than previous variants, however public well being consultants say the brand new variant is similar to previous ones and the vaccines accessible work in opposition to it. Here’s what we learn about XEC up to now.

What’s the new covid-19 XEC variant?

XEC is a mixture of two different SARS-CoV-2 variants generally known as KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. It shaped when the 2 variants contaminated the identical organism – akin to an animal or individual – concurrently, permitting them to share genetic materials.

XEC is a genetic offshoot of omicron, a extremely transmissible variant that first emerged in South Africa in 2021. “You possibly can consider these new variants as great-grandchildren or grandchildren of omicron,” says William Schaffner at Vanderbilt College Medical Middle in Tennessee. This implies it shares lots of the identical traits as different omicron subvariants, akin to spreading simply and inflicting much less extreme illness than the earliest SARS-CoV-2 strains.

When and the place was XEC recognized?

XEC was first recognized in August amongst covid-19 samples collected in Berlin two months earlier.

The earliest instances of the variant occurred in Italy in Could. Nevertheless, these samples weren’t uploaded to a global database that tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants, referred to as the World Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Knowledge (GSAID) till September.

What number of instances of XEC are there?

Knowledge from GSAID signifies that greater than 600 instances of XEC have been reported throughout 27 nations, together with the UK, Germany, Canada and the US. Nevertheless, “not all nations persistently report knowledge to GSAID, so the XEC variant is prone to be current in additional nations”, says Bhanu Bhatnagar on the World Well being Organisation (WHO) Regional Workplace for Europe.

The variant is prevalent in Europe, the place no less than 13 nations have detected it, says Bhatnagar. To date, XEC constitutes about 8 per cent of all sequenced and reported samples from the continent this month, in accordance with knowledge from GSAID. By comparability, it made up about 4 per cent of samples in August. Essentially the most generally sequenced variant in Europe continues to be KP.3.1.1 – additionally within the omicron household – at 48 per cent of all samples, says Bhatnagar.

XEC is most widespread in France, comprising roughly 21 per cent of sequenced covid-19 samples. It’s also gaining traction in Germany and the UK, the place it represents 15 per cent and eight per cent of sequenced samples, respectively, says Francois Balloux on the College Faculty London.

The brand new variant has additionally been detected within the US, the place it makes up roughly 1 per cent of instances, says Balloux. Nevertheless, XEC hasn’t appeared on the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s (CDC) covid-19 variant tracker, which incorporates variants as soon as they account for 1 per cent of all instances in per week.

What are the signs of XEC?

To date, XEC causes the identical signs as different covid-19 variants akin to fever, sore throat, cough and muscle aches and pains. “We could have our ears open to be taught whether or not there are probably some distinctive options, clinically,” says Schaffner. “We doubt it, however we’re all the time open to that.”

How harmful is XEC?

XEC doesn’t seem like extra harmful or produce extra extreme illness than previous covid-19 variants, says Schaffner. The WHO hasn’t designated it as a variant of concern, both. That’s as a result of it shares lots of the identical traits as different omicron subvariants, like inflicting extra gentle sickness than earlier strains, says Schaffner.

Is XEC extra transmissible?

It’s too early to say whether or not XEC is extra transmissible than different variants, says James Fielding on the WHO. Provided that it has gained a foothold amongst different circulating variants, nonetheless, it might have a bonus that makes it unfold extra simply.

As an illustration, a preliminary evaluation from Mike Honey, an information specialist in Australia, means that XEC will turn out to be the dominant variant in Europe and the UK in October. He predicts the identical will happen within the US and Canada later that month or in November.

“How broadly [spread] this explicit pressure will turn out to be, I believe we simply have to attend and see,” says Schaffner.

Do covid-19 vaccines nonetheless work in opposition to XEC?

The excellent news is that present covid-19 vaccines are anticipated to guard in opposition to XEC, says Schaffner. It’s because up to date variations goal omicron subvariants.

The CDC recommends everybody 6 months or older obtain an up to date covid-19 booster in the event that they haven’t accomplished so this 12 months. Within the UK, up to date vaccines can be found to folks 75 years and older, and those that dwell in senior care amenities or have a weakened immune system.

In the end, Schaffner says there is no such thing as a cause to panic about XEC. “The virus is simply getting going, however it seems to be following the identical sample [as past ones]” he says. “My response is: standard, standard.”

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