What is the new Covid XEC variant?

People have started catching a potentially more contagious Covid variant, dubbed XEC, that could soon become the most dominant strain, according to scientists
         

ORIGINS

XEC first reported in Berlin, Germany in Jun 2024
 
Strain emerged from previously discovered Omicron subvariants of Covid-19
 

TRANSMISSION

XEC reportedly has some new mutations that might help it spread as weather gets colder
 
Variant already recorded in 27 countries across three continents, including U.S., UK, Netherlands Denmark and China
 
Could become dominant strain, surpassing KP.3.1.1. – currently considered to be the most common and contagious mutation
 

SYMPTOMS

Thought to be similar to those of previous Covid variants – including high temperature, aches, tiredness, cough, sore throat and loss of sense of smell or taste
  
Most people feel better within a few weeks but others could take longer to recover


PROTECTION
 
Experts say keeping up to date with vaccines and booster shots would offer sufficient protection against severe illness and hospitalisation
  
  
Sources: BBC, The Independent 
Picture: Newscom 
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