New COVID-19 Variant XEC Emerges Amid Concerns of a Fall Surge

As COVID-19 activity remains high across the United States, a new variant known as XEC has been identified and is spreading rapidly in Europe and other global regions. Although only a few cases have been reported in the United States to date, experts warn that XEC might soon become the prevalent strain in the upcoming fall season.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for COVID-19, continues to mutate, leading to the emergence of new variants that are highly contagious. The most recent variant drawing significant attention among researchers is the recombinant XEC, already detected in over half of U.S. states. This has sparked vibrant discussions among scientists on platforms like X, due to the variant’s unique mutations and rapid spread.

Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, remarked that “the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next.” As the respiratory virus season approaches in the United States, there is concern about how XEC might impact the population, particularly with the new COVID-19 vaccines being released.

Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease physician at Yale School of Public Health, explains that XEC is a recombinant variant originating from two previous strains, KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. He notes, “When a person is infected with two different SARS-CoV-2 variants, you can get what we call a recombination, where pieces of the genetic material from one recombine with the other, creating a new strain.”

The variant’s characteristics are akin to its origin strains but include additional mutations potentially giving it an advantage over other variants. XEC belongs to the omicron sublineage, similar to other recent variants like FLiRT strains and KP.3.1.1, currently dominant in the U.S., described by some scientists as “DeFLuQE.”

Data scientist Mike Honey has been tracking the spread of XEC, which first appeared in Berlin in late June. It has since proliferated in Europe, North America, and Asia, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Although the World Health Organization has not yet classified XEC as a variant of concern, genetic sequences are being monitored through global databases such as GISAID and Scripps Research’s COVID-19 database.

The emerging XEC variant has been detected in 28 countries, including the United States, where approximately 100 sequences have appeared across at least 25 states. Although not yet included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracker due to limited case numbers, experts anticipate this status will change as the variant proliferates.

Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, notes that XEC is spreading “at a fast rate,” particularly in several European nations. The variant’s rapid rise has made it a focal point for scientists anticipating potential impacts on public health.

Pekosz highlights that XEC has a mutation in its spike protein, possibly enhancing its transmissibility or ability to evade immune defenses. However, he adds, “So far, no alarm bells have gone off regarding XEC.”

The potential for a COVID-19 wave this fall remains uncertain, with winter respiratory virus season traditionally heightening virus transmission as people spend more time indoors. Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University Medical Center asserts that “It’s the same old, same old,” with no significant changes in symptoms compared to previous omicron variants.

Experts suggest that vaccination remains crucial in combatting the virus, as the updated mRNA vaccines target previous dominant strains, offering protection against severe illness. However, concerns persist regarding vaccine uptake, particularly against the backdrop of the previous year’s low rates.

As the fall season nears, individuals are urged to take preventive measures, such as staying home when ill and considering vaccinations, especially those in high-risk categories, to mitigate the impact of potential COVID-19 surges.