A new and more contagious variant of COVID-19, named XEC, has emerged and is spreading rapidly across Europe.
Story Summary:
- New COVID-19 variant called XEC, a hybrid of Omicron subvariants, is spreading rapidly across Europe.
- XEC is more contagious, with mutations improving its ability to bind to human cells.
- The variant is present in 27 countries, including Germany, Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands.
What scientists know about the new XEC COVID-19 variant
First identified in Berlin, Germany, in June 2024, XEC is a hybrid of two previous Omicron subvariants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.
These mutations have led to the variant’s increased ability to bind to human cells, making it more contagious.
According to reports, the new variant has been detected in over 27 countries, including Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, with significant growth in infections.
Epidemiologists such as Eric Topol from the Scripps Research Translational Institute have warned that XEC could soon become the dominant strain due to its rapid spread and improved ability to evade immune responses.
Scientists point to mutations in the spike protein, which enhance the variant’s attachment to human cells, increasing transmissibility.
Additionally, the novel amino acid alterations from glutamine to glutamic acid (part of the KP.3.3 sublineage) further enhance the variant’s binding efficiency.
South Africa’s COVID-19 Latest update: Here’s what we know
As of the latest data, South Africa’s NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) has recorded a relatively low detection of COVID-19 cases, though the situation remains under close surveillance.
According to the NICD report, SARS-CoV-2 cases spiked in June 2024 but have since decreased significantly.
From January to September 2024, out of 5,850 samples tested, only 3.6% were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2.
In August 2024, only 4 out of 111 samples (3.6%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, highlighting a drop in infection rates.
Although the XEC variant has yet to be reported in South Africa, it remains essential for the country to monitor the global situation closely, especially considering the variant’s presence in Europe and other regions.
As global travel resumes, the potential for importing the XEC variant into South Africa poses a risk.
Public health officials and virologists are advising continuous surveillance and potentially updating vaccines to tackle emerging strains.
