Dozens of cases of a new rapid-spreading Covid variant have been found in the UK after it was first detected in Germany. The strain known as XEC is a recombinant variant, created from two previously existing strains which someone may have caught simultaneously. XEC is causing concern among health officials as it appears to be spreading rapidly. Experts in the USA have warned that the variant is ‘just getting started’. Discovered in Germany at the end of August, XEC has now been found in 27 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. Despite being identified just three weeks ago, 82 cases have already been reported in the UK, with 13% of cases in Germany being of the XEC variant.
Richard Orton, a Bioinformatics Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, stated that XEC seems to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, indicating that it could become the dominant global variant in the next few months. He also mentioned another new strain to be vigilant for – MV.1. This strain, which has emerged in India, shares the same mutation as XEC, enabling it to spread rapidly. Symptoms of XEC are expected to be similar to other Covid variants, including a high temperature, sore throat, cough, headaches, body aches, and fatigue.
As the UK heads into colder weather, it is anticipated that hospitalisations due to Covid will increase in the coming weeks. To combat the spread of the virus, a new vaccination project is set to commence next month. Richard Orton highlighted the possibility of XEC becoming the dominant global variant but noted that it could be outcompeted or swiftly replaced by a different yet closely related variant. This evolution underscores the ongoing battle against Covid and the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the face of emerging variants.