6 Things You Need to Know About the New Covid Variant XEC

While the current Covid-19 wave is slowing down in the US, a new variant, XEC, is raising concerns among health authorities as winter approaches. XEC is a recombinant strain, formed from two closely related variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descendants of the JN.1 strain. With its additional mutations, this variant could potentially spread more efficiently than its predecessors.

Covid XEC Variant: Symptoms, Effects, and What We Know So Far

Despite efforts to control the virus, new variants continue to emerge, and Covid-19 is far from disappearing. Here are six crucial things to know about the XEC variant:

1. It’s More Infectious:
Experts warn that XEC carries additional mutations, making it more contagious than previous strains. To reduce the risk of infection, it’s vital to maintain social distancing and practice proper hygiene.

2. Spreading Across Countries:
Originating in Germany, XEC has already spread to 27 countries, including the US, UK, and China. In the US, 23 cases have been detected so far, with three in California.

3. Mild Symptoms:
Like other variants derived from Omicron, XEC causes relatively mild symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, loss of taste or smell, headaches, and muscle aches.

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4. Vaccine Effectiveness:
While the updated Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain, the virus is evolving faster than vaccines. Experts are unsure if the latest vaccine will fully protect against XEC, though it may still reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe illness.

5. Likely to Dominate in Winter:
According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, XEC is poised to become the dominant strain in the coming months as temperatures drop.

6. Understanding the Recombinant Strain:
XEC is a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both of which are variants of the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 is known for driving cases in several countries, while KP.3.3 has a mutation that allows it to bind more efficiently to human cells, potentially increasing its transmissibility.