A recent COVID-19 variant known as XEC has been detected in 27 countries, including France and the United States, infecting over 600 individuals.
XEC is the most recent addition to the ongoing list of COVID variants that are being monitored as the virus continues to evolve naturally.
Reports from NAIJATRAFFIC indicate that XEC was first identified in Germany in June, and additional cases have subsequently appeared in the UK, the US, Denmark, and various other nations.
Scientists have noted that XEC possesses some new mutations that could facilitate its spread this autumn, although vaccines are expected to continue to provide protection against severe illness.
They observed that the variant seems to transmit more easily than earlier COVID-19 strains, yet the severity of the cases has not reached the levels seen during the height of the pandemic.
Health experts classify this strain as a recombinant variant, which can emerge when a person is infected concurrently with two different strains of COVID-19.
XEC is believed to result from the recombination of two hybrid omicron sub-variants—KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. These parent variants are closely linked, both having evolved from JN.1, which was the leading variant globally at the beginning of 2024.
Researchers track XEC cases using the Gisaid public database, where genetic sequences of viruses are submitted for analysis. This database is crucial for identifying mutations in SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Currently, the United States leads the world in reported XEC cases with 118, followed by Germany with 92, the UK with 82, Canada with 77, and Denmark with 61. However, actual numbers may be higher in countries that do not consistently conduct COVID-19 genetic sequencing.
In North America and Europe, the predominant variant is KP.3.1.1, while Asia is seeing more cases of the closely related KP.3.3 variant.
As of now, there have been no reported cases of XEC in African countries, but experts predict that this strain may become the most prevalent variant globally in the coming months.
Compared to other variants, XEC is characterized by a greater growth advantage, allowing it to spread more swiftly.
Experts attribute this growth advantage to its relatively uncommon T22N mutation (derived from KS.1.1), combined with Q493E (from KP.3.3) in the spike protein.
The spike protein plays a vital role in the virus’s ability to attach to human cells, facilitating entry and replication.
Nevertheless, the effect of the T22N mutation on the virus’s capacity to replicate or disseminate among people remains largely unknown.
The initial COVID-19 strain was identified in December 2019, with the first cases emerging from Wuhan, Hubei province, China.
The virus, later named SARS-CoV-2, quickly spread worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March 2020. In Nigeria, for instance, there have been at least 267,000 recorded COVID-19 cases, with a case fatality rate of 1.2%.
Since the pandemic began, numerous new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have arisen due to genetic mutations.
These variants demonstrate the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2, with some variants causing more severe waves of infections than others, largely dependent on their transmission capabilities and ability to evade immunity.
The latest variant, XEC, spreads primarily through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. Although the virus can survive on surfaces, transmission through surfaces is considered to be less common than airborne transmission.
Consequently, health authorities recommend practicing social distancing, wearing masks in public places, and frequently using hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of infection.
XEC does not have any distinct symptoms and can lead to familiar signs such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, which generally appear within two to 14 days after exposure.
These symptoms are usually mild, although their severity can vary widely. Individuals at higher risk, such as the elderly, may experience more severe illness.
