New COVID variant XEC spreads quickly but remains similar to others

A new COVID variant called XEC is spreading quickly, first detected in Germany in August 2024. It is a recombinant variant, formed from two existing variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, which share a common ancestor, JN.1. As of September 18, XEC has been identified in 27 countries, with the highest cases in the US, Germany, UK, Canada, and Denmark. While it is currently a minority variant, it shows a growth advantage and may soon become dominant globally. XEC has similar symptoms to other COVID variants, including fever and cough. An autumn booster campaign in the UK will begin in October, targeting the JN.1 variant, which should provide protection against severe illness from XEC.