The current Covid-19 wave in the US is slowing down slightly, but the emergence of a new variant called XEC has raised concerns among health authorities as colder weather sets in. XEC is a combined strain of two closely related variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descended from the JN.1 strain. With many additional mutations, XEC is expected to spread more efficiently than previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is not fading away anytime soon. Here are key points to note about the new variant XEC:
1. Increased Infectiousness: Experts warn that XEC, with its numerous mutations, is more infectious than previous strains. To reduce the risk of infection, it is crucial to practice social distancing and maintain proper hygiene.
2. Global Spread: Originating in Germany, the XEC variant is rapidly spreading in the US, UK, China, and 27 other countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. There have been 23 reported cases in the US, with three in California.
3. Mild Symptoms: Symptoms of XEC are similar to Omicron and generally mild, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
4. Vaccine Effectiveness: The current Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain, but the virus is evolving quickly, raising questions about the vaccine's effectiveness against XEC. However, the vaccine can still offer protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
5. Potential Dominance in Winter: XEC has the potential to become dominant during the colder months, further emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive measures.Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, suggested that a certain variant is most likely to become more widespread in the near future. Experts anticipate that this variant will become dominant and spread more rapidly. The recombinant XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, which both originated from the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1, classified as a FLiRT variant, is contributing to the rise in cases in various countries, while KP.3.3 is a FLuQE variant with a spike protein mutation that enhances its ability to bind to human cells. To prevent Covid infection, it is essential to follow basic guidelines such as avoiding crowds, maintaining distance, washing hands frequently, wearing masks in crowded areas, and consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein. Recent events include Russian shelling in eastern Ukraine resulting in seven deaths, with both countries intercepting multiple missiles and drones.
