XEC: What we know about the new covid-19 variant and its symptoms

A new variant of covid-19 called XEC has started to spread around the world, mainly in Europe. Early evidence indicates that it can transmit more easily than past variants, but public health experts say that the new variant is very similar to the past and available vaccines work against it. Here’s what we know about XEC so far.

What is the new covid-19 XEC variant?

XEC is a combination of two other SARS-CoV-2 variants known as KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. It is formed when the two variants infect the same organism – such as an animal or a person – simultaneously, allowing them to share genetic material.

XEC is a genetic derivative of omicron, a highly transmissible variant that first emerged in South Africa in 2021. “You can think of these new variants as omicron’s great-grandchildren,” he says. William Schaffner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee. This means that it shares many of the same characteristics as other omicron subvariants, such as spreading easily and causing a less severe disease than the first SARS-CoV-2 strains.

When and where was XEC identified?

XEC was first identified in August among covid-19 samples collected in Berlin two months earlier.

The first cases of the variant occurred in Italy in May. However, these samples have not been uploaded to an international database that tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants, called The global initiative to share all influenza data (GSAID) until September.

How many cases of XEC are there?

Data from GSAID indicates that more than 600 cases of XEC have been reported in 27 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States. However, “not all countries consistently report data to GSAID, so the XEC variant is likely present in more countries,” he says. Bhanu Bhatnagar at the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The variant is prevalent in Europe, where at least 13 countries have detected it, Bhatnagar says. So far, XEC makes up about 8 percent of all samples sequenced and reported from the continent this month, according to data from GSAID. In comparison, it made about 4 percent of the exhibitions in August. The most common sequence variant in Europe is still KP.3.1.1 — also in the omicron family — at 48 percent of all samples, says Bhatnagar.

XEC is the most widespread in France, comprising about 21 percent of the sequenced covid-19 samples. It is also gaining traction in Germany and the United Kingdom, where it represents 15 percent and 8 percent of the samples sequenced, respectively, he says. Francois Balloux at University College London.

The new variant has also been detected in the United States, where it accounts for about 1 percent of cases, says Balloux. However, XEC has not appeared in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).) covid-19 variant trackerwhich includes one-time variants that account for 1 percent of all cases in a week.

What are the symptoms of XEC?

So far, XEC causes the same symptoms as other variants of covid-19 such as fever, sore throat, cough and muscles. “We have our ears open to find out if there are possibly any distinguishing characteristics, clinically,” says Schaffner. “We doubt it, but we’re still open to it.”

How dangerous is XEC?

XEC does not appear to be more dangerous or produce more severe disease than past variants of covid-19, says Schaffner. The WHO has not yet designated it as a variant of concern. That’s because it shares many of the same characteristics as other omicron subvariants, such as causing a milder disease than previous strains, says Schaffner.

Is XEC more transferable?

It’s too early to say whether XEC is more transmissible than other variants, he says James Fielding to the WHO. Since it has gained a place among other circulating variants, it may also have an advantage that makes it easier to spread.

For example, a preliminary analysis by Mike Honey, a data specialist in Australia, suggests that XEC will become the dominant variant in Europe and the UK in October. He predicts that the same will happen in the US and Canada later that month or in November.

“How (spreading) this particular variety will become, I think we’ll just have to wait and see,” says Schaffner.

Do covid-19 vaccines still work against XEC?

The good news is that current covid-19 vaccines are expected to protect against XEC, says Schaffner. This is because the updated versions target omicron subvariants.

U CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older to get an updated covid-19 booster if they haven’t done so this year. In the UKupdated vaccines are available for people 75 and older, and those who live in nursing facilities or have weakened immune systems.

Ultimately, Schaffner says there’s nothing to panic about for XEC. “The virus is right, but it seems to follow the same pattern (as the past ones),” he says. “My answer is: same old, same old.”