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New XEC Covid variant spreads globally with similar symptoms to Omicron

Business Standard — September 18, 2024, 10:00 AM UTC

Summary: A new Covid variant called XEC was first detected in Germany in June and has since spread to countries including the UK, US, and Denmark. It is a sublineage of the Omicron variant and may be more contagious.

XEC is a hybrid strain formed from two earlier Omicron sub-variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Approximately 500 cases have been reported across 27 countries, with notable increases in Denmark, Germany, and the UK.

Symptoms of XEC are similar to previous variants, including fever and cough. Vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe illness from XEC, and the CDC recommends updated vaccines for those aged six months and older.

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Timeline:

  1. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads in Europe with flu-like symptoms (Onmanorama)
    16h
    Source
  2. [3.7]
    Drug-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants identified in immunocompromised patients (news-medical.net)
    20h
    Source
  3. [4.9]
    New XEC COVID variant spreads in US with mild symptoms (today.com)
    24h
    Source
  4. [5.1]
    New COVID variant XEC detected in 25 states including New Jersey (cbsnews.com)
    1d 2h

    ScoresSource
  5. [5.4]
    New COVID subvariant XEC emerges as U.S. sees summer case decline (fortune.com)
    1d 8h

    ScoresSource
  6. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 27 countries including US and UK (news18.com)
    1d 8h
    Source
  7. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe and US (hindustantimes.com)
    1d 10h
    Source
  8. [4.5]
    Scientists warn of potential rise in Covid XEC variant this autumn (Mint)
    1d 11h
    Source
  9. [3.3]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly in 27 countries (india.com)
    1d 12h
    Source
  10. [4.7]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (The Independent)
    1d 17h
    Source
  11. [4.6]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe and beyond (news.yahoo.com)
    1d 17h
    Source
  12. [4.5]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe (independent.co.uk)
    1d 17h
    Source
  13. [3.3]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 20 countries since June detection (express.co.uk)
    2d 1h
    Source
  14. [5.3]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads to 11 European countries (euronews.com)
    2d 10h

    ScoresSource
  15. [4.3]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads to 15 countries since June (Firstpost)
    2d 10h
    Source
  16. [2.9]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 27 countries raising concerns (thesun.co.uk)
    2d 11h
    Source
  17. [4.9]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (India Today)
    2d 12h
    Source
  18. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (independent.co.uk)
    2d 12h
    Source
  19. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (news.yahoo.com)
    2d 12h
    Source
  20. [3.8]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads rapidly and may dominate this winter (mirror.co.uk)
    2d 12h
    Source
  21. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe and beyond (India.com)
    2d 14h
    Source
  22. [4.6]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe (The Independent)
    2d 17h
    Source
  23. [5.1]
    New COVID XEC variant emerges in Europe with mild symptoms (NBC Chicago)
    2d 22h

    ScoresSource
  24. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (express.co.uk)
    3d 0h
    Source
  25. [3.9]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads across Europe as cases decline in Northern Ireland (Belfast Live)
    3d 1h
    Source
  26. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (The Express Tribune)
    3d 6h
    Source
  27. [3.7]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads rapidly worldwide (zeenews.india.com)
    3d 8h
    Source
  28. [5.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreading, may enhance transmissibility (bbc.com)
    3d 9h

    ScoresSource
  29. [3.0]
    Autumn Booster targets vulnerable as Covid XEC spreads (The Mirror)
    3d 9h
    Source
  30. [4.5]
    New Covid variant XEC spreading rapidly in Europe (independent.co.uk)
    3d 12h
    Source
  31. [4.4]
    XEC variant spreads in Europe, may be more contagious (liverpoolecho.co.uk)
    3d 12h
    Source
  32. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly, symptoms to watch (express.co.uk)
    3d 12h
    Source
  33. [3.1]
    Covid variant XEC spreads; tests available at pharmacies (mirror.co.uk)
    3d 12h
    Source
  34. [4.5]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads rapidly across Europe (independent.co.uk)
    3d 14h
    Source
  35. [3.2]
    New Covid variant XEC expected to dominate this winter (mirror.co.uk)
    3d 15h
    Source
  36. [2.7]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads to 15 countries (Express)
    4d 3h
    Source
  37. [3.7]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (Daily Record)
    4d 6h
    Source
  38. [3.7]
    New Covid XEC variant spreading globally; watch for symptoms (HeraldScotland)
    4d 8h
    Source
  39. [4.0]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across 15 countries (Chronicle Live)
    4d 12h
    Source