A new, fast-spreading COVID-19 variant, XEC, has started appearing in the United States and may become the dominant strain this winter, according to health experts.
XEC is a subvariant of Omicron, first detected in Germany in June 2024, and has since spread across Europe and the U.S. It is not currently believed to cause more severe symptoms than other recent strains, but COVID-19 infections still pose a greater risk for certain people, like older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
New COVID Variant XEC Rises in the US
As of mid-October, XEC accounted for about 10.7% of COVID cases in the U.S. climbing rapidly from a lower rank in September and becoming the second most common strain in the country.
Although XEC's prevalence remains behind the dominant Omicron strain KP.3.1.1, it is spreading swiftly. Dr. Scott Roberts from Yale Medicine notes that XEC's rapid spread in some European countries indicates its potential to become the dominant strain in the coming months.
According to Yale Medicine, unlike other COVID-19 strains, XEC is a recombinant variant, meaning it combines genetic material from two pre-existing sub variants, KP.3.3 and KS.1.1.
While this genetic merging could make it easier for the virus to adapt, current evidence doesn't show XEC is more dangerous in terms of symptoms. The symptoms associated with this variant are similar to other recent COVID strains, with signs including cough, congestion, fever, and loss of taste or smell, the BBC said.
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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Shots Recommended
Current COVID-19 vaccines, updated for the 2024-2025 season, are expected to provide some level of protection against XEC. Dr. Roberts encourages vaccination, as the newly modified Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, along with the latest Novavax dose, were designed to target similar Omicron strains.
Vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and older to help minimize the spread of the virus, especially with the winter season approaching.
To reduce the risk of infection, Dr. Roberts advises following standard precautions: staying away from sick individuals, wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, and considering antivirals like Paxlovid if you test positive for COVID-19.
As XEC continues to spread, scientists will be closely watching its impact and advising measures to keep the public safe.
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