New XEC Covid variant: What we know about symptoms and booster vaccines as it spreads 'more easily'
Scientists say new Covid-19 variant that is spreading globally. Known as the XEC strain, it originated in Europe and has been showing signs of transmitting more readily than predecessors.
It's identified as a recombinant variant by researchers, which occurs when two existing strains combine - a may happen if an individual contracts both strains simultaneously.
XEC is formed from the KP.3.3 and KS. 1.1 strains, with genetic links to omicron - a variant initially spotted in South Africa in 2021 known for its high contagion levels and reduced severity compared to earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
The first detection of XEC was in Germany towards the end of August, and already, the UK has reported 82 cases. The United States is on alert too, with healthcare professionals warning that this variant is just beginning to take hold. READ MORE: They went for a drink in case 'he never came back' - then he started 'speaking a strange language' and was dead hours later It has now been detected in 27 countries across Europe, Asia and North America.
United States
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Cases: 46 252 513
Deaths: 750 423
Recovered: 0
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India
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Cases: 34 321 025
Deaths: 459 652
Recovered: 0
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Brazil
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Cases: 21 835 785
Deaths: 608 235
Recovered: 0
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United Kingdom
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Cases: 9 215 683
Deaths: 141 607
Recovered: 0
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Russia
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Cases: 8 494 589
Deaths: 237 619
Recovered: 0
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