A new coronavirus variant, XEC, is garnering attention from medical experts as it spreads across Europe and beyond, with concerns it could become a dominant strain this autumn. XEC is a hybrid of two earlier omicron subvariants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, which currently dominate in Europe. Its mutations may enhance its ability to spread, according to multiple health sources.
Despite its growing presence, XEC does not yet meet the criteria to be classified as a variant of concern or interest by public health authorities, according to a spokesperson from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). “A very limited number of XEC detections have been reported to date,” the spokesperson stated.
First identified in Berlin in June, the XEC variant has since been detected in at least 11 European countries and four other nations worldwide. In Europe, it accounts for at least 1 percent of all sequenced samples in Slovenia, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, based on data from the US-based Scripps Research institute. It has also been reported in the UK, Denmark, France, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, and Spain.
It is important to note that sequencing data has limitations. Samples subjected to genomic sequencing may not fully reflect the strains circulating in the general population, as not all labs perform sequencing at the same rate. As a result, the presence of XEC in sequencing data may not accurately represent its prevalence.
Nevertheless, sequencing data can provide early insights into the virus’s evolution, helping researchers and health agencies prepare for potential countermeasures such as updated vaccines or revised public health guidelines.
Experts believe that existing COVID-19 vaccines should still be effective against the XEC variant. An ECDC spokesperson told Euronews Next, “We anticipate XEC to have similar properties to currently circulating variants, with no significant changes in infection severity or vaccine effectiveness against severe disease.”
The ECDC recommends getting vaccinated before the winter season due to waning protection over time. “Vaccination remains the most effective measure to guard against more severe forms of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza,” the ECDC emphasized.
As XEC continues to spread, health authorities advise staying informed about the latest developments and ensuring vaccinations are up to date to maintain protection against evolving strains of the virus.
