Termed as ‘more contagious’; COVID-19’s XEC variant spreads to 27 countries

Termed as ‘more contagious’, COVID-19’s XEC variant spreads to 27 countries

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

New COVID-19 Variant: XEC:

• Scientists have identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called XEC.
• This variant is believed to have the potential to become the dominant strain of COVID-19.

Key points:

1. Origin and Spread:
   • First observed in Germany in June
   • Now found in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, and other European countries
2. Current Prevalence:
   • 16-17% of COVID-19 cases in Denmark and Germany
   • 11-13% of cases in the UK and the Netherlands
3. Characteristics:
   • Sublineage of the Omicron variant
   • Hybrid of 1.1 and KP.3.3 sub-variants
   • May be more contagious than previous variants
   • XEC has a “slight transmission advantage”
4. Vaccine Effectiveness:
   • Existing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against XEC
5. Symptoms:
   • Similar to previous COVID variants: Fever, Sore throat, Cough, Loss of sense of smell, Loss of appetite, Body aches

Source: TH