As COVID-19 activity remains high across the United States, a new hybrid variant called XEC is spreading rapidly in Europe and other parts of the world. The XEC variant has been detected in at least 27 U.S. states so far, and some experts predict it could become the dominant strain this fall.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes coronavirus continues to mutate, creating new variants that are more contagious. The latest to garner interest and headlines is the recombinant novel coronavirus variant, XEC.
“XEC variants seem most likely to gain legs next,” Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Institute's Translational Institute, posted on X on September 14.
XEC's arrival comes as the U.S. sees a slight decline in COVID-19 activity after a summer wave. But wastewater data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 34 states still have “high” or “very high” coronavirus activity.
As fall begins in the U.S. and respiratory virus season approaches, some are concerned about whether XEC could cause a surge and whether new coronavirus vaccines can prevent it. .
What do we know so far about the XEC variant, what symptoms does it cause, and what can we expect in the coming months?
What are the XEC COVID variants?
XEC is a recombinant of two previous variants, KP.3.3 (a descendant of the FLiRT variant) and KS.1.1, Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease physician and professor at the Yale School of Public Health, told TODAY. told .com.
“When a person is infected with two different SARS-CoV-2 variants, so-called recombination can occur, where some of the genetic material from one is recombined with the genetic material from the other, creating a new strain. “There's a gender,” Ko says.
Although XEC is similar to the parent strain, it has additional mutations that may give it an advantage over other mutant strains, experts say.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told TODAY.com that the XEC variant is a sublineage of Omicron, like previous variants that have been circulating in recent months.
These include the FLiRT strain and the variant strain KP.3.1.1, currently dominant in the United States, which some scientists have dubbed “DeFLuQE.”
On September 24, the World Health Organization classified XEC as a “variant under surveillance.”
Where is XEC spreading?
So far, XEC has spread to at least 32 countries, according to the latest data from Scripps Research's coronavirus disease database (Outbreak.info).
Mike Honey, an Australian data scientist who tracks the spread of XEC, said the variant emerged in Berlin in late June and has since spread rapidly across Europe, North America and Asia, Honey said on September 14. I mentioned it in my post about Day X.
Currently, XEC is showing “strong growth” in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, Hany wrote on September 28, and XEC has overtaken the dominant KP.3.1.1 variant. I predict that it will “overcome”. Europe in mid-October.
A GISAID spokesperson told TODAY.com that scientists are investigating the spread of this variant by tracking genetic sequences containing the XEC mutation that are shared with the global virus database GISAID. The rate is estimated.
To date, at least 1,600 XEC sequences have been reported from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States
As of October 2, nearly 300 XEC sequences have been detected in the United States in 27 states, including the District of Columbia, according to GISAID data. These include:
Arizona California Colorado Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Iowa Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Virginia Washington
“It’s definitely here,” Ko says. According to the CDC's Nowcast estimate, which predicts the proportion of new coronavirus variants in the United States over the past two weeks, as of September 30th, XEC accounts for approximately 6% of the total number of cases in the United States.
However, this is expected to change as variants spread. According to experts, the actual number of infected people (which cannot be determined based on the number of sequences alone) is likely to be much higher.
XEC is “likely to be the next challenger to the currently dominant DeFLuQE variant,” Honey wrote in a post on X on September 14.
Is XEC easily contagious?
“(XEC), like many other Omron variants that have been identified recently, appears to be highly contagious (and) spread very easily, which is why it's gaining momentum,” Schaffner said. says.
XEC, like other coronavirus variants, spreads from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.
“This virus is now rapidly increasing and is the fastest growing variant in several European countries,” said Andrew, professor and associate chair of the Institute's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.・Dr. Pecosh says. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health told TODAY.com.
“When a new variant emerges and starts to increase rapidly, we always look at it. … That's really the first signal that something might be going on.” Pekosh says.
Pecosh said the XEC variant has at least one mutation in the spike protein. These mutations may make XEC more infectious or easier to evade immunity, but it is unclear whether XEC competes with other mutants.
Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist and deputy director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told NBC News on September 27 that the XEC variant is much more contagious than the ones currently in circulation. “There is no evidence yet that it is high.” ”
“Many other micron variants seem to be behaving the same way as before. So far, there are no alarm bells ringing regarding XEC,” Schaffner said.
Will XEC cause a fall surge in the US?
“The summer wave of 2024 is more pronounced and longer lasting than we expected, and it's only now starting to wane,” Schaffner said.
There is no “season” for the coronavirus in the United States, and it can remain active throughout the year. Cases tend to peak in the winter, when respiratory viruses are common, according to the CDC, but experts say they could spike in the spring and summer as well.
Pekosz said it's difficult to predict the timing and severity of a surge in coronavirus cases, but given the size of the summer wave, this winter's wave may come later or not be as large as last year. I'm guessing. people's immunity. However, it is unclear what will happen in the coming months.
It's also too early to tell whether XEC or another variant will cause a fall or winter surge. “New variants with new mutations will emerge, some of which will develop (and) some of which will not,” Koh said.
“XEC may be the next wave, but we don't know how big that wave will be,” Koh added.
One thing we know is that viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza spread more easily in the winter, when respiratory virus season approaches and people spend more time together indoors. It means to do it.
“We can certainly predict an increase in the winter. We don't know when that increase will be or how strong it will be, but that should have no bearing on the decision whether to get vaccinated.” Schaffner added.
What are the symptoms of XEC?
The emergence of XEC is still in its early stages, and there isn't much information about cases, Pekosz said. However, so far, XEC does not appear to cause characteristic symptoms or more severe disease.
“It’s the same as it always has been,” Schaffner added. The symptoms caused by XEC are similar to those caused by previous Omicron variants. These include:
Sore Throat Cough Fatigue Headache and Body Aches Congestion Runny Nose Fever or Chills Shortness of Breath Nausea or Loss of Appetite Diarrhea Loss of Taste or Smell
“Infection can make you feel miserable for a few days, but the severity varies from person to person, and some people may be asymptomatic at all,” Schaffner says.
People in high-risk populations are more likely to develop severe disease. These include people over 65, people with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), and people with weakened immune systems.
“There's nothing surprising[about XEC]in terms of the symptoms it causes, in terms of its virulence, in terms of its ability to cause hospitalization and death,” Koh said. For now, XEC looks similar to KP.2 and KP.3, he added.
Can the coronavirus vaccine prevent XEC?
The latest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for 2024-2025 are available and are recommended by the CDC for everyone 6 months of age and older.
The new mRNA vaccines are monovalent, meaning they target one variant. In this case, it's the previously predominant KP.2 variant, Pekosz says. “[XEC]looks like it's going to be more closely related to vaccine stocks, so there should be plenty of coverage,” he added.
“Although new, there are some early laboratory studies showing that the latest vaccines can protect against severe disease caused by this variant,” Schaffner says.
The CDC says COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in protecting people from severe disease, hospitalization and death. This means it can provide protection even if you get COVID-19 after getting vaccinated.
The strains targeted by coronavirus vaccines are chosen during the summer, about three to four months before vaccinations become available, Pekos noted. “There will never be a 100% match because the vaccine strain doesn't change, but the virus just keeps infecting people and mutating,” he added.
But if the XEC variant becomes widespread in the U.S. this fall, current vaccines appear to be effective in protecting against it.
“I think there's good reason to think we'll get adequate protection from the boosters that are available,” Hanage told NBC News.
Coe said the best time to get vaccinated is from now until October. If you recently recovered from COVID-19, the CDC recommends waiting three months before getting the vaccine, but be sure to ask your doctor.
Schaffner said it's especially important for people who are at high risk of severe illness to get the latest coronavirus vaccine. These groups should be vaccinated as soon as possible because the virus is still circulating at relatively high levels in the country, TODAY.com previously reported.
Experts are concerned that low vaccine uptake will leave people even more vulnerable this winter. “Vaccination rates were pretty low last year, with only 24% of the (eligible) population actually receiving the vaccine, so we're hoping for even more improvement this fall,” Schaffner said.
Testing and isolation guidelines
Experts say current tests for COVID-19 are expected to detect the XEC variant and other strains in circulation.
You should get tested to see if you have symptoms of or have been infected with COVID-19. Schaffner said it's also a good idea to test before large events or gatherings where high-risk people will be around.
As of late September, Americans could again order free coronavirus test kits to be mailed to their homes through COVIDTests.gov.
The CDC recommends staying home if you are sick and returning to normal activities only if you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.
Antiviral drugs such as paxrobid are still effective and are recommended, especially for people at high risk for severe disease, Schaffner said. These are most effective when taken within the first few days of symptoms.
How to protect yourself from XEC
As fall approaches, you can take the following steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
Stay up to date on vaccines. Please stay home if you are sick. Avoid contact with sick people. Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces. Improve ventilation. Maintain good hand hygiene. Please practice social distancing.
Source link
