A brand new COVID strain is spreading rapidly and should soon turn into the dominant form around the globe. This type called XEC was the primary to be discovered In Germany in August And it seems to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants – but it surely's not a variant in any respect.
XEC is what known as a “regenerative variant”. Recombinants can occur naturally when an individual is infected with two different COVID variants at the identical time.
XEC is the product of recombination (exchange of genetic material between the 2 variants) between the KS.1.1 variant and the KP.3.3 variant. These two parent variants are closely related, each evolved from JN.1, which was the dominant variant worldwide initially of 2024.
XEC was first. Reported In Germany and just a few other European countries in early August 2024, but since then the outbreak has continued, with greater than 600 cases identified in 27 countries in Europe, North America and Asia.
Scientists discover XEC cases using a public database. GasicideIn which the genetic sequence of the virus is uploaded for evaluation. This is where mutations occur in SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID).
But it's a bit like a drunk on the lookout for his lost keys under a street lamp because that's where the sunshine is best. In other words, more cases of the brand new type have been seen in countries that typically arrange more COVID samples through routine surveillance programs.
The countries with essentially the most identified XEC cases as of September 18 are the United States (118), Germany (92), the United Kingdom (82), Canada (77) and Denmark (61). Of course, this number could also be higher in countries that don't routinely sequence COVID samples.
Currently, the dominant variant in Europe and North America is KP.3.1.1, while the closely related KP.3.3 is dominant in Asia.
XEC is a minority variant and its prevalence is highest in Germany, where roughly 13% of sequences are potentially XEC. In the UK, the prevalence is around 7%, while within the US it's lower than 5%. However, XEC seems to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting that it can turn into the dominant variant globally in the following few months.
XEC has very similar genetic material to each its primary variants in addition to other circulating variants, mostly derived from JN.1.
One reason for the XEC advantage often is the relatively rare T22N mutation (inherited from KS.1.1) together with Q493E (from KP.3.3) within the spike protein. The spike protein is a crucial a part of the virus that binds to human cells, enabling the virus to enter and replicate. However, little is thought in regards to the effects of the T22N mutation on how well the virus can replicate or spread between people.
University of Glasgow
But does it cause worse disease?
We don't yet have data from patients or laboratory experiments to inform us what form of disease XEC may cause – although that data is anticipated soon. However, this recent variant will likely be just like other COVID variants when it comes to the disease it causes, given its genetic information. So symptoms like hot temperature, sore throat with cough, headache and body aches with fatigue are expected.
Winter hospitalizations typically increase in consequence of colder temperatures and the increased spread of viruses (resulting from people staying indoors more). So these additions, after they come, mustn't necessarily be related to recent types.
The autumn promotion campaign within the UK will start in October with an updated vaccine targeting the JN.1 variant, from which XEC is derived, ensuring a very good level of protection against severe disease. will
XEC is the most recent in a protracted list of past and present COVID variants which are being monitored because the virus naturally evolves. Recombinant variants themselves usually are not recent, as in 2023 COVID cases were dominated by the XBB recombinant variant.
Several other closely related variants are being monitored, akin to the MV.1 variant, which, like XEC, carries the T22N mutation within the spike protein. MV.1 was originally reported in India at the top of June and has spread rapidly to other countries, which can warrant future monitoring.
XEC could turn into the dominant global type, but it surely could also be contested before or quickly replaced by a special but closely related variant.