Covid scare back in Europe and US as new contagious variant XEC becomes dominant

The COVID-19 scare is back to haunt Europe as a new strain called the XEC is spreading quickly. First identified in Germany in June, the strain has now reached more than a dozen nations. Experts say the strain is a mix of two omicron variants: KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.

Medical experts believe the XEC will soon become a dominant strain in the United States as well. They are now suggesting people get booster shots and vaccinations to restore immunity. The United Kingdom government has already announced free booster shots for those more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19.

Nations like Denmark and Germany are among the worst hit.

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Covid data analyst Mike Honey wrote on X, “Recombinant variant XEC is continuing to spread, and looks a likely next challenger against the now-dominant DeFLuQE variants (KP.3.1.1.). Here are the leading countries reporting XEC. Strong growth in Denmark and Germany (16-17%), also the UK and Netherlands (11-13%)."

However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted that the mutation among viruses was normal.

Symptoms of the XEC strain

Symptoms are believed to be similar to those experienced in previous cold or flu illnesses, akin to the omicron variants, and may include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

While most individuals tend to experience improvement within a few weeks following COVID-19, the recovery period can be prolonged for some.

Getting vaccinated can help in the XEC cases, as it is a lineage of the omicron variant.

The US Centers for Disease Control andPrevention has urged people to maintain good hygiene and improve access to clean air. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers have called for more studies on the XEC variant to better understand its symptoms.

(With inputs from agencies)