The new Covid-19 variant, XEC, which is a hybrid of earlier Omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, was first detected in Germany and has since spread to over 27 countries. Currently, this variant is dominant in Europe, with experts in India warning that it may soon overtake the previous strain.

The symptoms of the XEC variant are similar to those of the earlier Omicron variant, including fever, sore throat, loss of smell, cough, loss of appetite and body aches. Health experts also say that additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

“With winter setting in in many western countries, XEC is expected to take over,” said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the national IMA Covid task force and former president of the Indian Medical Association (Kochi).

Dr. Jayadevan said that although XEC is spreading in various countries, there is no sign of an increase in its severity. However, he cautioned that immunity to COVID-19 is short-lived and the possibility of re-infection remains.

Dr Jayadevan further explained that repeated infections could lead to the risk of long Covid, resulting in long-term health problems. He said Covid-19 is likely to remain a cyclical disease, as the virus undergoes genetic changes and adaptations over time. “The XEC seen in 2024 reminds us of the recombinant variant called XBB that came in 2022, which was the result of genetic changes between two variants,” said Dr Jayadevan.

A senior epidemiologist in India has said that XEC has not yet been classified as a variant of concern. In Europe, its prevalence was 5.96 per cent in August, while some countries like Slovenia reported more than 10 per cent of cases linked to this variant.

“At the moment, the XEC variant of COVID-19 is not showing any signs of becoming a concern, especially in Europe, where it reached 5.96 per cent in August. It is at an even higher rate in countries like Slovenia, where more than 10 per cent of cases are linked to XEC. Although its presence is low in the US and Canada, this variant has shown high transmissibility,” he said.

He stressed the importance of continued surveillance and genomic sequencing to understand the evolution of XEC.

“For countries like India and other regions monitoring new variants, it is important to remain vigilant in tracking the spread of XEC. Existing vaccines, including those used globally, are expected to remain effective against the severe outcomes of XEC as it is part of the Omicron family. Public health authorities should focus on continued surveillance, especially in areas with low prevalence, and promote timely vaccination, especially ahead of winter, when respiratory infections are likely to increase. Ongoing genomic sequencing will be critical to understand the evolution of XEC and determine if it becomes the dominant strain, and study its virulence,” the senior epidemiologist said.