New coronavirus variant XEC may spread more easily than previous variants
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A new COVID-19 variant called XEC has begun to spread around the world, primarily in Europe. Early evidence suggests that this variant may be more easily transmitted than past variants, but public health experts say this new variant is very similar to past ones and available vaccines are effective. Here’s what we know so far about XEC.
What is the new covid-19 XEC variant?
XEC is a combination of two other SARS-CoV-2 variants, known as KP.3.3 and KS.1.1, that formed when the two variants infected the same organism, such as an animal or a human, at the same time and shared genetic material.
XEC is a genetic offshoot of Omicron, a highly contagious variant that first emerged in South Africa in 2021. “These new variants can be thought of as the great-grandchild or great-grandchild of Omicron,” he said. William Shaffner Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee have confirmed that the virus shares many similarities with other Omicron variants, including being more transmissible and causing less severe illness than earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
When and where was XEC identified?
XEC was first identified in August among COVID-19 samples collected in Berlin two months ago.
The first cases of this variant emerged in Italy in May, but those samples were not uploaded to an international database that tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants. Global effort to share all influenza data (GSAID) Until September.
How many cases of XEC are there?
According to GSAID data, more than 600 XEC cases have been reported in 27 countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada and the US, but it said “not all countries consistently report data to GSAID, so it is likely that XEC variants are present in more countries.” Bhanu Bhatnagar At the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.
The variant is circulating in Europe, where it has been detected in at least 13 countries, Bhatnagar said. So far, XEC accounts for about 8% of all samples analyzed and reported in the continent this month, according to GSAID data. That compares to about 4% of samples in August. The most commonly analyzed variant in Europe is KP.3.1.1, also in the Omicron family, which accounts for 48% of all samples, Bhatnagar said.
XEC is most prevalent in France, where it accounts for around 21% of COVID-19 samples, and is also gaining momentum in Germany and the UK, where it accounts for 15% and 8%, respectively. Francois Barouh At University College London.
The new variant has also been detected in the United States, where it accounts for about 1% of cases, Ballou said. However, XEC is not classified as a variant by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).) COVID-19 Variant TrackerThis includes the variant making up 1% of all cases in a week.
What are the symptoms of XEC?
So far, XEC causes the same symptoms as other COVID-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough and muscle aches. “We’ll be listening and seeing if there are any distinctive symptoms clinically,” Schaffner said. “It’s suspicious, but it’s always a possibility.”
How dangerous is XEC?
XEC doesn’t appear to be more dangerous or cause more severe disease than previous COVID-19 variants, Schaffner said. The WHO hasn’t designated it a variant of concern, either. That’s because it shares a lot in common with other Omicron subvariants, including causing milder symptoms than previous strains, Schaffner said.
Is XEC highly contagious?
It’s too early to tell if XEC is more transmissible than other variants, he said. James Fielding At the WHO. But it may have the advantage of spreading more easily, given that it has gained a foothold among other circulating variants.
For example, preliminary analysis by Australian data expert Mike Honey suggests that XEC is expected to become the dominant variant going forward. Europe and United Kingdom He predicts the same will happen in October. We and Canada It will be later that month or in November.
“How wide [spread] “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with this particular strain,” Schaffner said.
Are COVID-19 vaccines still effective against XEC?
The good news is that current COVID-19 vaccines may still protect against XEC, Schaffner said, because updated versions target the Omicron variant.
of CDC It encourages everyone aged 6 months and older to get their latest COVID-19 booster vaccination if they haven’t already received it this year. United KingdomThe updated vaccine will also be offered to people aged 75 and over, aged care residents and those with weakened immune systems.
Ultimately, Schaffner says there’s no need to panic about XEC: “The virus is just starting, but it seems to be following the same patterns. [as past ones]”My answer is the same as it always has been,” he says.
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