“At this point, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely to spread,” Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, said in a post on the X platform on Sunday.
Researchers predicted in August that this variant would take a few weeks to two months to spread faster.
XEC, a subspecies of the Omicron variant, was first reported in Berlin, Germany, in June and is now spreading “very rapidly” across Europe, North America and Asia, according to COVID-19 data analyst Mike Honey.
Slovenia recorded high rates of infection with this variant in August, with more than 10% of Covid-19 case samples from the country containing XEC.
Experts said the new strain, a sub-variant of the Omicron strain, has some new mutations that could help it spread this fall.
They explained that XEC is a hybrid of previously discovered Omicron subvariants – KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.
It is noteworthy that KS.1.1 is a type of the family of variants commonly called FLiRT. The second “Omicron” subvariant, KP.3.3, belongs to the FLuQE category.
So far, more than 500 samples from 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal and China, have been found to contain XEC.
Analysts point to strong growth of the variant in Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
As the coronavirus continues to evolve, data suggests that XEC is growing steadily every day with an advantage over previously known sub-variants.
Its symptoms are similar to those of previous COVID-19 variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches.
But since it’s still just a subfamily of the same Omicron strain, experts say keeping up with vaccines and booster shots should provide enough protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
Experts also recommend practicing good hygiene and taking steps for cleaner air. Researchers called for close monitoring of the XEC variant to better understand its symptoms.
Source: Independent
#contagious #coronavirus #variant #spreading #Europe
2024-09-19 06:35:01
– What are the key characteristics of the XEC sub-variant of Omicron?
Table of Contents
The Rise of XEC: The Emerging Sub-Variant of Omicron Spreading Rapidly Across the Globe
As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain has emerged, spreading rapidly across Europe, North America, and Asia. Dubbed XEC, this new strain has raised concerns among health experts, who predict it may become the dominant variant in the coming weeks.
Origin and Spread
XEC was first reported in Berlin, Germany, in June and has since spread to over 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China. According to COVID-19 data analyst Mike Honey, the variant is spreading ”very rapidly” across the globe.
Predictions and Prevalence
In August, researchers predicted that XEC would take a few weeks to two months to spread faster. So far, over 500 samples have been found to contain XEC, with Slovenia recording high rates of infection, with more than 10% of Covid-19 case samples from the country containing the variant.
What Makes XEC Different?
Experts say that XEC has some new mutations that could help it spread this fall. It is a hybrid of previously discovered Omicron subvariants – KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Notably, KS.1.1 is a type of the family of variants commonly called FLiRT, while KP.3.3 belongs to the FLuQE category.
Countries Affected
Data suggests that XEC is growing steadily every day, with strong growth reported in Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Expert Insights
“At this point, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely to spread,” Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, said in a post on the X platform on Sunday.
What Does This Mean for the Public?
As the coronavirus continues to evolve, it is essential for the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of XEC. This includes maintaining social distancing, washing hands regularly, and getting vaccinated.
Conclusion
The emergence of XEC serves as a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. As the virus continues to mutate and spread, it is crucial for governments, health experts, and the public to work together to prevent the spread of this new variant.
Keywords: XEC, Omicron, COVID-19, Pandemic, Sub-Variant, Mutation, Europe, North America, Asia, Vaccination, Public Health.
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– What are the key characteristics of the XEC sub-variant of Omicron?
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic of XEC, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19:
The Rise of XEC: The Emerging Sub-Variant of Omicron Spreading Rapidly Across the Globe
As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain has emerged, spreading rapidly across Europe, North America, and Asia. Dubbed XEC, this new strain has raised concerns among health experts, who predict it may become the dominant variant in the coming weeks.
Origin and Spread
XEC was first reported in Berlin, Germany, in June and has since spread to over 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, and China. According to COVID-19 data analyst Mike Honey, the variant is spreading “very rapidly” across the globe.
Predictions and Prevalence
In August, researchers predicted that XEC would take a few weeks to two months to spread faster. So far, over 500 samples have been found to contain XEC, with Slovenia recording high rates of infection, with more than 10% of Covid-19 case samples from the country containing the variant.
What Makes XEC Different?
Experts say that XEC has some new mutations that could help it spread this fall. It is a hybrid of previously discovered Omicron sub