The current surge of Covid-19 in the US appears to be slowing down, but the emergence of a new variant known as XEC has raised concerns among health authorities as colder weather approaches. This recombinant strain, a combination of two closely related variants named KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descendants of the JN.1 strain, is anticipated to spread rapidly across the US. With numerous additional mutations, XEC is expected to spread more easily than previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is not fading away and new variants continue to surface. Here are six key points about the new Covid variant XEC:
1. Increased Infectiousness: Experts have observed that the XEC variant of Covid-19 contains multiple additional mutations, making it more infectious than previous strains. It is crucial to adhere to social distancing and proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of transmission.
2. Global Spread: While originating in Germany, the XEC variant is rapidly spreading in countries like the US, UK, and China, having been identified in 27 countries worldwide, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. In the US, there have been 23 reported cases, with three in California.
3. Mild Symptoms: Symptoms associated with the new XEC variant are similar to those of Omicron and are generally mild. Common symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, breathing difficulties, muscle and body pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
4. Vaccine Effectiveness: The current Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, as the virus continues to evolve rapidly, there are uncertainties regarding the vaccine's effectiveness against newer variants. While the latest vaccine may not fully prevent infection, it can still offer protection against severe illness and hospitalization, especially for vulnerable populations.
5. Potential Dominance in Winter: There are concerns that the XEC variant may become dominant during the winter months due to its increased transmissibility and potential to outpace current vaccine developments.Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, predicts that a certain variant is likely to become dominant and spread more rapidly in the upcoming months. This variant is expected to become the next prevalent strain. XEC, a recombinant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, is considered significant in the discussion of variants. Both KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 are derived from the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 is part of the FLiRT variants driving case numbers in multiple countries, while KP.3.3 is a FLuQE variant with a spike protein mutation that enhances its binding to human cells. To protect against Covid-19, it is essential to adhere to basic preventative measures such as maintaining physical distance, washing hands regularly, wearing masks in crowded places, and boosting immunity through a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein. Tragically, Russian shelling has caused the deaths of seven individuals in Eastern Ukraine, with both countries intercepting numerous missiles and drones.
