The new COVID-19 variant, XEC, has emerged in at least 25 U.S. states, with health officials monitoring its spread.
While not currently raising major concerns, experts recommend staying informed as winter approaches.
With instances documented in at least 25 states, a novel COVID-19 variant called XEC has been found in half of the United States, according to data from the global viral database GISAID.
While health experts are monitoring the variant’s spread, unlike other highly altered strains, XEC has not yet caused significant alarm.
The most cases have been recorded from New Jersey, where samples were taken at Newark Liberty International Airport as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) testing program.
At least ten infections have been verified in each of the other states, Virginia and California, where there has also been an increase in XEC cases.
Despite the emergence of XEC, variant trackers remain uncertain if it will overtake dominant strains like KP.3.1.1, which currently accounts for over half of the COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
The CDC states that there is no evidence of XEC causing different symptoms than other strains, and treatments and vaccines are expected to remain effective.
Americans are encouraged to get the updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall, designed to target related strains like KP.2.
As winter approaches and infections are expected to peak in January, health officials will continue to monitor XEC’s progression and any potential impact on vaccine effectiveness.
