New Covid-19 Variant XEC Spreading Rapidly Across Europe: Symptoms to Watch Out For

New Delhi: Recently, a newly discovered COVID subvariant named XEC has caused a surge in cases across Europe and globally. First detected in Germany, this variant has quickly gained the attention of medical professionals worldwide.

Reports indicate that XEC has spread to other European countries, including the Netherlands,UK, Germany and Denmark. While cases in the United States are currently low, XEC may eventually overtake the dominant subvariant KP.3.1.1.

At Least 500 samples from different 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China, have been found to contain XEC. 

According to Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, the expected midyear wave began in May when the winter's dominant subvariant, JN.1, gave way to several subvariants nicknamed FLiRT—a cheeky reference to two key mutations, F456L and R346T. "The FLiRT eventually gave way to new variants that had even more growth advantage," Topol added.

XEC is believed to be a recombination of two different, less-discussed subvariants: KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, and may become a dominant strain by winter. Doctors are advising to take precautionary measures and vaccines to prevent infection.

Covid XEC Symptoms

The symptoms of XEC are similar to Omicron and include fever, sore throat, loss of smell, cough, loss of appetite, and body aches according to health experts, symptoms like shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea can also occur.

Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid, but it can take longer to recover.

Vaccines:

According to reports, XEC has some new mutations which is why it is important to take vaccines and booster shots, experts say.

As per scientists XEC can transmit more easily than recent covid variants, but vaccines are good protection for it. It is also advised, everyone, from 6 months to middle age, whether previously vaccinated or not, should receive an update 2024-25 regarding the COVID-19 vaccine to get rid of viruses.