While an intensification of the circulation of Covid-19 “seems to be starting” in France, where all indicators are progressing, the scientific community is closely monitoring a new variant detected in June 2024 in Berlin, Germany. This variant called XEC is gaining ground in Europe, alerted Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional head of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
27 pays
Since its appearance, the new strain of Covid-19 has been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. In total, it would have been detected in 27 countries, says specialist Mike Honey, a data scientist specializing in the virus.
According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps research translational institute in California (United States), interviewed by the Los Angeles Time, XEC would present “ a growth advantage, and could prove to be the next virus we face ».
XEC could therefore quickly surpass the hyper-infectious sub-variant, KP.3.1.1, which is currently the most widespread nationally. In another article, The Los Angeles Times evoked “a threat” for the coming winter.
Like virtually all coronavirus strains that have emerged in recent years, XEC belongs to the broad Omicron family – and a hybrid between two previously documented subvariants, KP.3 and KS.1.1.
“A very limited number”
If this variant spreads quickly, “ a very limited number of XEC detections have been reported to date “, said a spokesperson for the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
So far, XEC represents at least 1% of all samples sequenced in Slovenia, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, according to data from the US non-profit Scripps Research. For ECDC, XEC therefore does not yet meet the criteria to become a variant of concern for public health authorities.
The XEC variant has similarities with other strains of the virus, with the same symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat, possible loss of taste and smell) and with an identical level of severity. Experts believe existing COVID-19 vaccines should be effective against the XEC variant, reported BBC News.
A new vaccination campaign against Covid, but also the flu, is due to begin on October 15 in France. It will particularly target French people aged 65 and over and people at risk of serious illness.
