The current surge of Covid-19 in the US is showing signs of slowing down, but the emergence of a new variant known as XEC is causing concern among health authorities as colder weather approaches. This recombinant strain, a combination of two closely related variants called KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descendants of the JN.1 strain, is expected to potentially spread widely in the US. With numerous mutations, XEC may spread more efficiently than previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is not fading away as new variants continue to emerge. Here are six key points to know about the new Covid variant XEC:
1. Increased Infectivity: Experts have reported that the XEC variant is more infectious than other strains due to numerous additional mutations. It is crucial to maintain social distancing and proper hygiene to prevent infections.
2. Global Spread: While the XEC variant was first detected in Germany, it is rapidly spreading in countries including the US, UK, China, and has been identified in 27 countries, such as Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. There are currently 23 reported cases in the US, including three in California.
3. Mild Symptoms: Symptoms of the XEC variant are similar to Omicron and tend to be mild, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
4. Vaccine Efficacy: The current Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, the rapid evolution of the virus raises concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine against new variants. While experts remain uncertain, the vaccine still offers some protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
5. Potential Dominance in Winter: There is a possibility that the XEC variant could become the dominant strain during the winter months.According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, the variant that is predicted to become dominant in the near future and spread more rapidly is X. This variant is considered to be the most likely to gain traction next. Additionally, more information is provided about the recombinant XEC, which is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. Both of these variants are derived from the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1, classified as a FLiRT variant, is contributing to the increasing number of cases in several countries, while KP.3.3, a FLuQE variant, has a spike protein mutation that enhances its ability to bind to human cells.
In terms of Covid prevention, it is essential to adhere to fundamental practices. This includes avoiding crowded places, maintaining safe distances when interacting with others, practicing good hand hygiene, and wearing masks in crowded settings. Additionally, boosting immunity naturally through a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein is crucial. Recent news reports an incident in Eastern Ukraine where Russian shelling resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, with both countries intercepting multiple missiles and drones.
