As flu season approaches, new COVID-19 variants are emerging, including a strain known as XEC, which is spreading swiftly across various countries, including the United States.
According to the latest update from Scripps Research’s Outbreak.info page, which was last refreshed on September 5, there have been 95 reported cases of the XEC variant across 12 states in the U.S. and in 15 countries worldwide. Mike Honey, a data integration specialist based in Australia, noted on X that this variant, which first appeared in Berlin last June, has now been detected in hundreds of additional cases spanning 27 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Currently, the Omicron variant KP.3.1.1, also referred to as deFLuQE, was responsible for over half (52.7%) of COVID-19 cases reported between September 1 and September 14. However, scientists believe that XEC, along with another variant known as MV.1, is positioned to become the next prevalent strain. Eric Topol, the director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, suggested on X that the XEC variant is likely to gain wider transmission.
The XEC variant first emerged in late June in Berlin and has now been cataloged with around 550 cases worldwide. It has been identified in 27 countries, including China, Ukraine, Norway, and Poland.
The MV.1 variant was first reported in Maharashtra, India, around the same time and has been detected in nine countries, including the U.S. Its presence has been noted across four continents, with sightings in Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In the United States, it is most frequently seen in the northeastern region.
In terms of XEC variant cases in the U.S., at least 95 sequences linked to this lineage have been documented between June 28 and August 20, with 25 cases specifically identified in the U.S., according to the September 5 report by Scripps Research’s Outbreak.info page.
The CDC has yet to confirm any specific symptoms associated with the XEC variant. USA TODAY is seeking a comment from CDC officials. Meanwhile, the agency continues to outline standard COVID-19 symptoms, which may appear between two to 14 days post-exposure and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
– Fever or chills
– Cough
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Fatigue
– Muscle or body aches
– Headache
– Loss of taste or smell
– Sore throat
– Congestion or runny nose
– Nausea or vomiting
– Diarrhea
The CDC advises seeking medical attention for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or skin that appears pale, gray, or blue.
To safeguard against the XEC variant and other COVID-19 strains, the CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, irrespective of their vaccination or infection history.