Wed Sep 18 03:09:46 UTC 2024: ## New Covid Variant XEC Spreading Rapidly Across Europe
A new, highly contagious variant of Covid-19, dubbed XEC, is spreading rapidly across Europe and could soon become the dominant strain, scientists have warned.
First identified in Germany in June, the XEC variant, a sublineage of Omicron, has since been detected in 27 countries including the UK, US, Denmark, Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China. Scientists have identified mutations in XEC that could contribute to its increased spread, especially during the autumn months.
While vaccines are still expected to offer good protection against severe illness, experts are closely monitoring XEC’s growth, particularly in Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.
Professor Francois Balloux of University College London believes XEC may become the dominant subvariant over the winter due to its slight transmission advantage over other recent Covid variants. However, he emphasizes that vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness.
Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, predicts XEC will take hold in the coming months, potentially leading to a new wave of infections.
Symptoms of XEC are similar to previous Covid variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches. Experts advise staying up-to-date with vaccinations and booster shots for protection against severe illness.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends practicing good hygiene and taking steps for cleaner air to minimize transmission. Researchers are urging further monitoring of XEC to better understand its characteristics.
First Piper 