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A new variant of Covid-19 is on the rise, according to scientists. The XEC strain started in Europe but has now spread across the globe, with research suggesting it is transmitted more easily than previous types.
Researchers say it is a recombinant variant – meaning it is created from two previously existing strains which someone may have caught at the same time. In XEC’s case, it is a combination of KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. It is a genetic offshoot of omicron, a highly transmissible variant that first emerged in South Africa in 2021.
This means it shares many of the same characteristics as other omicron subvariants, such as spreading easily and causing less severe disease than the earliest SARS-CoV-2 strains.
It was first detected in Germany at the end of August and now 82 cases have been found in the UK. Doctors in the US are also concerned, with one saying it was ‘just getting started’.
It has now been detected in 27 countries across Europe, Asia and North America. Despite only being found three weeks ago, 13% of cases in Germany are now the XEC variant.
Richard Orton, Bioinformatics Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, told The Conversation: “XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months.”
He added: “This new variant will probably be similar to other COVID variants in terms of the disease caused, given its similar genetic information. So symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat with a cough, headaches and body aches along with tiredness are to be expected.”
Hospitalisations with Covid in the UK are expected to increase in the weeks ahead as we move into colder weather. A new vaccination project will being next month in a bid to fight the spread of the virus.
