The current surge of Covid-19 in the US is showing signs of slowing down, but the appearance of a new variant, XEC, has raised concerns among health authorities. This recombinant strain, a combination of closely related variants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both derived from the JN.1 strain, is anticipated to spread rapidly, particularly with the approaching colder weather. With numerous additional mutations, XEC is expected to spread more effectively than previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is far from disappearing as new variants continue to emerge. Here are six important details about the new Covid variant XEC:
1. Increased Infectiousness: Experts believe that the new variant XEC is more infectious due to a number of additional mutations. Following proper social distancing and hygiene practices is crucial to avoid contracting the virus.
2. Global Spread: While the XEC variant initially originated in Germany, it is quickly spreading in countries such as the US, UK, and China, with confirmed cases in 27 countries including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. The US has reported 23 cases, including three in California.
3. Mild Symptoms: Symptoms associated with XEC remain mild and similar to those of Omicron. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, body aches, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
4. Vaccine Efficacy: The current Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, the virus is evolving at a faster rate than vaccines are being updated. While the efficacy of the latest vaccine against XEC is uncertain, it is expected to provide some level of protection, especially against severe illness.
5. Potential Dominance in Winter: Experts warn that the XEC variant may become prevalent during the winter months, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and adherence to preventive measures.Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, suggested that a particular variant is poised to become dominant in the near future, potentially spreading more rapidly. This variant, a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, is a hybrid strain with roots in the JN.1 lineage. KS.1.1 is part of the FLiRT variants driving case numbers in multiple countries, while KP.3.3 is categorized as a FLuQE variant due to a spike protein mutation. Emphasizing the importance of basic preventive measures against Covid-19, one should avoid crowds, maintain physical distance, practice hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded spaces, and focus on boosting immunity through a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein. In other news, seven individuals were killed in Eastern Ukraine by Russian shelling, with both countries intercepting numerous missiles and drones.
