Tue Sep 17 12:53:16 UTC 2024: ## New Coronavirus Variant XEC Spreading in Europe, Could Become Dominant
A new coronavirus variant, XEC, is spreading across Europe and could soon become dominant, according to medical experts.
The XEC variant, a hybrid of earlier Omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, was first identified in Berlin in June. It has since been detected in at least 11 European countries and four others worldwide. While currently making up at least 1% of sequenced samples in Slovenia, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, it has also been identified in the UK, Denmark, France, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, and Spain.
While sequencing data doesn’t represent all cases circulating in the community, it provides early insights into the virus’s evolution. Experts believe existing COVID-19 vaccines should remain effective against XEC, but the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) still recommends vaccination ahead of the winter season, as protection wanes over time.
The ECDC emphasizes that vaccination remains the most effective measure against severe forms of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
First Piper 