As the flu season approaches, new COVID-19 variants are emerging.

A new COVID variant named XEC is spreading quickly in various countries, including the United States.

According to Scripps Research’s Outbreak.info page, last updated on September 5, there have been 95 detected cases of XEC in 12 U.S. states and 15 other nations.

Data integration expert Mike Honey stated on X that this new strain, which was first identified in Berlin last June, has been found in hundreds of additional patients across 27 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia.

The Omicron variant KP.3.1.1, also referred to as deFLuQE, accounted for over half (52.7%) of COVID-19 cases from September 1 to September 14. However, scientists believe that XEC and another variant known as MV.1 are likely to become the next leading strains.

“At this point, the XEC variant is the most probable strain to take off,” stated Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, on X.

What is the XEC variant?

First identified in late June in Berlin, the XEC COVID-19 strain has spread across Europe, North America, and Asia, amassing around 550 samples, according to Honey.

This variant has been detected in 27 countries, such as China, Ukraine, Norway, and Poland.

What is variant MV.1?

Documented first in Maharashtra, India, in late June, the COVID-19 variant MV.1 has appeared in nine countries, including the U.S., as reported by Honey.

It has been found on four continents, including countries like Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In the U.S., it has primarily been reported in the northeastern region, according to Honey.

How many XEC variant cases have been reported in the U.S.?

At least 95 cases in the XEC lineage have been recorded between June 28 and August 20, with 25 cases identified in the U.S., according to Scripps Research’s Outbreak.info page last updated on September 5.

Symptoms of the COVID XEC variant

The CDC has yet to confirm any distinct symptoms associated with the XEC variant. YSL News has contacted CDC officials for further information.

The agency continues to list the general symptoms of COVID-19, which may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus 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
• Runny nose or congestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

The CDC advises seeking medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulties in breathing
• Constant pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to stay awake or wake up
• Skin, lips, or nail beds appearing pale, gray, or blue

Protective measures against XEC and other variants

The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older, with few exceptions, should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season to better protect against the virus, regardless of prior vaccination or infection history.

Contributed by: Ahjané Forbes, YSL News