A new strain of the COVID-19 virus, known as XEC, has been identified in at least 25 states across the United States. While not yet officially tracked by the CDC or WHO, XEC is making its presence known in states like California, New Jersey, and Virginia, with 10 or more cases reported in each.
Despite the rise of XEC, the predominant variant in the U.S. remains KP.3.1.1, according to the CDC. XEC is a mutated strain resulting from a recombination of two descendants of last year's JN.1 strain.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Jake Glanville explained that coronaviruses continuously mutate, with dominant strains typically having an advantage in infection or transmission. While XEC may be slightly more infectious, it does not exhibit distinct symptoms or modes of infection compared to other strains.
Fortunately, current vaccines based on the KP.2 strain are considered a reasonable match for XEC. Dr. Glanville reassured that there is no unique cause for concern regarding XEC at this time, as it closely aligns with the vaccine strains approved by the FDA.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical analyst, confirmed that the 2024-2025 vaccines should cover the emerging XEC subvariant. Common symptoms associated with XEC include sore throat, congestion, cough, fatigue, nausea, and loss of taste.
For vulnerable populations such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and unvaccinated young children, Siegel recommends getting the updated COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA recently approved updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the upcoming season, providing options for individuals aged 12 and older.
While XEC poses no immediate cause for alarm, health experts emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and potential adjustments to vaccine designs as the virus continues to evolve.
