Covid Alert: Scientists report the emergence of a new Covid variant, XEC, that could soon become the dominant strain. First identified in Germany in June 2024, cases of XEC have since spread to the UK, US, Denmark and other countries, according to users on X (formerly Twitter).
Covid variant XEC: possible impact
Experts note that XEC, a sublineage of the omicron variant, carries mutations that could boost its transmission this fall. However, vaccinations remain effective in preventing severe cases of Covid. People at higher risk should opt for a booster shot as a precaution.
Prof. Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News in an interview that while Covid variant XEC shows a small transmission advantage over recent variants, vaccines should continue to provide strong protection. He warned that XEC could dominate the winter wave.
Covid variant XEC: symptoms to look out for
Symptoms associated with the XEC variant resemble those of previous Covid strains, including:
Most people recover within a few weeks, although some may experience prolonged symptoms, reports BBC.
Covid variant XEC: current spread and monitoring
The BBC report, quoting Covid data analyst Mike Honey, said there had been a sharp increase in XEC cases in Denmark and Germany.
However, the decline in routine testing makes it difficult to map the current prevalence of Covid.
Does your Covid vaccine protect against XEC?
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director at UKHSA, reiterated to the BBC the importance of vaccination, saying: “Vaccination offers the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19. We urge those who have been contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”
Antibody to combat all Covid-19 variants
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have isolated an antibody, called SC27, that can fight all known variants of the coronavirus responsible for Covid-19, as well as related strains that infect other animals.
This breakthrough came from plasma donated by four patients who experienced breakthrough infections despite being vaccinated. The findings were published in Cell Reports Medicine.
Since the emergence of Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved to develop resistance to vaccines and treatments. The SC27 antibody is known for its ability to recognize and target different spike protein features in different Covid-19 variants, providing a promising avenue for future treatments.
